Roger Kauffman, Senior Director of Product Management and Marketing, Molex runs through the applications that will be redefined by 6G
In today’s ultra-connected world, consumers demand seamless digital experiences across every aspect of their lives, from smartphones and wearables to connected vehicles and smart homes. Speed and reliability of these connections are expectations. 5G wireless connectivity is currently delivering enhanced bandwidth and lower latency compared to previous generations, powering everything from mobile streaming to industrial automation. But the horizon is already shifting.
This is where 6G, the next great leap in wireless technology comes into play. While still in development, 6G is no longer just a concept; it’s a clear goal on the radar of researchers, network providers and infrastructure leaders. Projected to be rolled outaround 2030, the transition to 6G will enable a new generation of applications, speed and intelligence that will redefine what’s possible in digital communication. But how do we reach the reality of 6G?
Building the infrastructure for the future
Transitioning to 6G won’t be as simple as updating software or tweaking hardware. It demands new infrastructure including the installation of new towers, advanced fibre optic cabling and entirely reimagined software frameworks to support the dense, complex ecosystem of 6G-connected devices.
And new 6G-ready devices will be needed as 5G-era equipment won’t be compatible. New devices from smartphones and autonomous vehicles to industrial IoT platforms will need to be developed to harness 6G’s full capabilities. Compatibility, bandwidth demands, and energy efficiency will all be part of the redesign criteria.
Working together
One of the major challenges to widespread 6G development and adoption is the absence of a global standard. Without unified specifications, hardware manufacturers and network operators risk developing solutions in silo. Fortunately, industry alliances and research initiatives are actively working to create foundational standards that will help accelerate global deployment.
Why frequencies matter
Faster data transfer speeds are one of the benefits 6G will have over previous generations, and this will be enabled by using higher spectrum bandwidths. Millimetre wave (mmWave) frequencies are going to be key in 6G. With wavelengths between 1 and 10 millimetres, mmWave offers unparalleled bandwidth and ultra-low latency, which are crucial for data-heavy, time-sensitive applications like autonomous navigation and real-time augmented reality.
A step up in the spectrum will allow 6G peak data rates of up to 50 times faster than the 5G standard. The 6G user-experienced data rate is expected to reach 1,000Mbps, 10 times faster than the user-experienced data rate of 5G.
However, mmWave frequencies also present some challenges, as they have limited range, are more prone to signal attenuation and are easily obstructed by the surrounding built environment. To overcome these limitations, 6G networks will require a denser deployment of high-performance base stations. High-quality antennas and connectors will also be necessary to achieve optimal performance.
The applications that will redefine connectivity
6G has generated much excitement and anticipation as it has the potential to unlock a new era of transformative applications. Enhancing intelligence, immersion and autonomy, 6G is set to play a critical role in the following industries and applications:
- Autonomous vehicles: real-time data exchange between vehicles, infrastructure and other road users enabled by 6G could dramatically improve road safety and traffic efficiency
- Remote healthcare: 6G could be the catalyst for making robotic, remote surgeries more effective and efficient bringing life-saving care to patients regardless of their location. This could provide people in rural areas with better access to care and make more specialised care available locally
- Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR): fully immersive virtual environments and real-world training simulations could become more commonplace, thanks to tactile Internet and even holographic communication that rely on 6G. Users would be able to interact with virtual objects in the real world, allowing trainees to learn new skills in a more immersive and realistic way
- Smart cities: from traffic lights and road sensors that communicate with autonomous vehicles to first responders coordinating via real-time data streams, the smart city vision is likely to finally become a reality thanks to 6G
- Industrial automation: 6G will be a backbone for improving efficiency and productivity in industry. It will enable real-time, AI-driven manufacturing processes, digital twins and predictive maintenance systems in Industry 4.0 environments, where large amounts of data must be processed, analysed and acted upon instantaneously
- IoT expansion: the number of short-range IoT devices reached 12 billion worldwide in 2024 and is forecasted to increase to 32 billion by 2029 while the number of wide-area IoT devices is also expected to double from 3.6 billion in 2024 to 7.2 billion in 2029. With more devices and increased data comes the need for faster, more seamless connections and 6G will deliver just that, unlocking even greater potential for smart homes, wearables and medical devices
Ensuring trust and safety in the 6G era
As the world moves from 5G to 6G, the security of the systems and data in the Cloud understandably remains a concern. While 6G is expected to bring advancements in data security, it is important to remember that no system is 100% secure from attack. Security must be integral to the development of 6G, and cybersecurity must evolve to protect sensitive data transmitted by autonomous cars, remote surgeries or critical infrastructure.
The embedded software in these devices will require continuous scrutiny and updates to remain secure. Fortunately, next-generation security measures, including stronger encryption, AI-driven authentication and ultra-low latency threat detection, are already being developed to meet these challenges.
Rapid threat detection
Ultra-low latency and real-time communication achieved by 6G will enable systems to identify and respond quickly to any detected threats. Security systems could even mitigate any potential breaches before they escalate.
Higher levels of protection
It is expected to be more difficult for unauthorised parties to access or decode data that is being transmitted, or stored in the Cloud, as 6G is poised to use stronger encryption protocols.
Tightening up authenticated access
6G is expected to integrate advanced security measures such as multi-factor authentication, biometric verification and AI-powered behaviour analysis. This will confirm user identities and restrict Cloud access to authorised individuals only.
The road to full deployment
First generation (1G) wireless technology was introduced in 1979, and since then, there has been a generational ‘leap’ approximately every decade. However, history shows that each iteration of wireless technology takes time to mature. The full potential of each generation doesn’t materialise on day one. Rather, each generation has steadily evolved, and the sixth-generation 6G technology will be no exception.
A connected tomorrow
With transformative potential across healthcare, transportation, industrial and beyond, 6G is going to play an important role in the digital and more connected world in which we live. Industries are going to need to work together to make 6G a reality and companies are at the forefront of developments, committed to the evolution of 6G networks, infrastructures and devices.
Continued investments in state-of-the-art technologies enable the creation of cost-effective and best-in-class products, driving the development and full realisation of 6G’s benefits. For more information on how Molex is creating connections for the future of 6G, read our latest report.
Roger Kauffman is Sr. Director of Product Management and Marketing for Molex. His responsibilities include global leadership of the product management and marketing for RF and Microwave solutions.
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