From 5G to 6G: the Good, the Bad and the Unknown
Nicola Tesla predicted
“when wireless is perfectly applied the whole earth will be converted into a huge brain”.
6th generation wireless communication brings this to a reality through a framework that brings users together through a “huge artificial brain”.
Both 5G and 6G technologies have ignited a race to transform industries through higher speeds, greater flexibility and increased capacity. Almost every industry; transportation, manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, banking, education and logistics will experience disruptive growth as well as adaptation challenges.
The Basics
In simple terms, wireless communication is the transfer of information from two points without the use of an electrical conductor, optical fiber or other continuous guided medium of transfer.
There are four categories of wireless communication technology based on electromagnetic waves (EM) which carry information between receiving devices:
5G or 5th generation mobile network is a type of Radio Frequency Transmission (RFT). WiFi and bluetooth are also in this category.
Qualcomm?explains the differences and evolution of the previous and current wireless communication networks:
First generation — 1G:?1980s: 1G delivered analog voice
Second generation — 2G:?early 1990s: 2G introduced digital voice
Third generation — 3G:?early 2000s: 3G brought mobile data
Fourth generation — 4G LTE:?2010s: 4G LTE ushered in the era of mobile broadband
1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G all led to 5G, which is designed to provide more connectivity than was ever available before.
Powering Mobility: Introducing the 5G Network
5G is designed to increase speed, reduce latency, create greater capacity and improve flexibility of wireless services.
The technology has a theoretical peak speed of 20 Gbps, while the peak of 4G is only 1 Gbps. 5G networks are virtualized, software driven and cloud based. This enables an architecture that is flexible and capable of providing anytime, anywhere user access.
The “Good” or best from the 5G technology is its promise to improve the performance of business applications and experiences such as mobility including driverless cars, Internet of Things (IoT), remote healthcare, precision digitized logistics and people mobility- mobile users can stay connected as as they move between outdoor wireless connections and wireless networks outside or inside buildings without the need to reauthenticate.
Another key benefit is the mobility of the technology itself, this means its small form factor can be fitted onto any structure, such as a car, train or charging stations — making it more accessible to users.
The Disadvantages of 5G Technology
No, 5G networks will not give you COVID.
The deployment of 5G does not come without challenges. The main disadvantage of 5G is that it still has limited global coverage, making it only available in specific locations. The investment level of adapting a network to 5G can be costly when compared to other networks.
Cybersecurity is another major threat of 5G networks. The increased accessibility of data and access points increases vulnerabilities and complexity. In addition the higher use of bandwidth restricts cyber security monitoring and the speed of security systems.
Not all 5G devices are regularly monitored and optimized for cybersecurity, yet connectivity between systems has never been greater. This increases the stakes and measures required to increase defenses and monitoring across touchpoints.
The broadcast distance is another drawback. Even though 5G has higher speeds, it will not travel far compared to previous network generations. High buildings may block the frequency requiring more towers for continued coverage.
Omnipresent Wireless Intelligence: 6G Cellular Networks
According to?Ericsson, the sixth generation cellular networks or 6G, is set to deliver truly omnipresent wireless intelligence.
The technology is built on the desire to create a seamless reality where the digital and the physical worlds we know merge with one another.
While broad based rollouts are expected in the early 2030s, the 6G investment and development is well underway.
Like its predecessor, 6G networks will operate broadband cellular networks in which the service area is divided into smaller geographical areas called cells.
6G technology is setting the bar higher with speeds estimated at 100x faster than 5G and more bandwidth power to keep consumers more connected than ever before.
These networks are expected to be more diverse supporting applications beyond mobile and expanding into virtual and augmented reality (VR/ AR), Internet of Things (IoT),?mobile edge computing, artificial intelligence,?quantum encryption, charging, metaverse,?web 3?and blockchain technologies.
Ultra-wide bands like the 6G terahertz however, have a short frequency reach and severe power loss during the antenna transmission and reception process.
Apple Inc. has posted job ads seeking to recruit wireless research system engineers for its sixth-generation (6G) cellular technology shortly after its debut of 5G iPhones.
Other players like AT&T, Meta and Qualcomm are teaming up to develop 6G standards and invest in infrastructure.
The Unknowns about 6G Technology
Because of its infancy, 6G technology is filled with uncertainties and instabilities related to the current attributes of the Internet Protocol, devices that are not yet fit for purpose and uncertainty on the practically of its main use cases.
The vision to create a truly omnipresent wireless intelligence is challenged by the speed and extent of coverage. While the R&D race has started among multiple countries and major technology players, the speed and coverage will vary dramatically from one region to another.
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Achieving 100% coverage needs satellite base station networks providing connectivity across all areas. Emerging satellite technologies can be tested to test the feasibility and reliability of these solutions. The end result is a new space race for satellites and who wins the opportunity to provide consumers and businesses a seamless wireless experience across the globe.
The expected widespread usage of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) technologies will increase the requirements of network reliability, latency, data availability and user experience. The complexity of the network increases the urgency to monitor, maintain, optimize and enhance the network through traditional systems and KPIs. The network itself will require AI and ML to facilitate network monitoring and facilitate automated optimization.
According to?MIT, 6G uses more sophisticated active antenna systems, which integrate further using other Radio Access Technologies such as WLAN (wireless local area network), Bluetooth, UWB (ultra-wideband) and satellite. New smartphone technology will be required with 6G chips and radio transmitter technology.
Historically countries supported, authorized and distributed the spectrum, this is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum with frequencies from 0 Hz to 3,000 Ghz (3 THz). This has resulted in a waste of the spectrum overtime. An intelligent distribution system powered by AI/ML can authorize and distribute the spectrum intelligently increasing the efficiency, optimizing for demand and reducing wastage.
The Most Promising Use Cases
Between 2022 and 2025, mobile operators in the Asia Pacific region are set to invest US$227 billion in 5G deployments. The?GSMA?forecasts that by 2030, 5G will contribute US$960 billion in global GDP.
Business-to-Consumer (B2C) Opportunities
5G deployments are currently focused on consumers. Mobile and network providers are enabling super-fast internet connections, streaming of high-definition videos and interactive content. The migration of customers to higher speed networks can enable operators to provide differentiated services and a better customer experience.
Consumer testing conducted by?Kearning?shows that consumers are willing to pay 10 to 15 percent more for 5G services.
Smart Cities
Smart Cities are the ultimate use case for 5G and 6G technology. Smart Cities utilize many connected devices including: public transportation vehicles, charging stations, traffic cameras, utility meters, lighting, public services and the management of the wireless networks themselves.
Some of the main use cases to benefit from the technology are limiting congestion through intelligent traffic systems, improved reaction time and optimization of police and first responders through broader integration of data and video feeds and lower latency, 5G connectivity inside public transport including airports and airlines and efficient use of energy and services in smart buildings.
Logistics
Logistic companies have already achieved significant productivity gains thanks to advances in data analytics, IoT devices, RPA and predictive maintenance systems. The data and information systems are critical for supply chain operations because they enable timely decisions.
The 5G and 6G speeds eliminate delays and enhance traffic flow. These networks can also benefit from a new level of predictive inventory and fleet management.
A major advantage is the creation of better supply chains. That means it will be easier to track any item at any point of the supply chain, from feedstock to retail distribution. Efficiencies in the supply chain can also result in shorter timelines, less fuel consumption and lower costs.
Low Carbon Transformation
A?study?by Mobile UK predicted that 5G connectivity could save more than 250 million tonnes of CO2 emissions globally by 2030 accelerating the move to wind and solar energy
5G and 6G connected sensors can be used to inform environmental indicators such as pollution, natural disasters, animal welfare protection and soil quality.
Smart energy grids benefit from the low latency of sensors to detect and prevent power failures and surges. These smart grids are projected to reduce gas and electricity consumption by approximately 12 per cent.
A fast rollout of 5G could cut the emissions from the network itself. According to Nokia the rollout could cut the global output from mobile network operations by?0.5 billion?metric tonnes.
Automotive and Assembly
The foundations for autonomous driving are fast and reliable communication networks. Experts from various sectors are working at the 5G?AutomotiveAssociation (5GAA), defining the basics for common standards in order to ensure that the new mobile communication standard meets the specific requirements for interconnecting the various transport users and for automated driving.
The key challenge to autonomous systems is the occurrence of unknown situations. In such cases, the autopilot can be deactivated, handing back responsibility to the human driver. With 5G the vehicle could be controlled remotely by an external operator acting as traffic controller improving the outcome.
Both 5G and 6G can be used to enhance maintenance, optimization, navigation and quality assurance of assembly. Autonomous mobile robots connected through 5G/6G can enable manufacturers to transform their operations, increasing productivity, safety and cost efficiency.
Healthcare
Healthcare devices and sensors connected to 5G or 6G networks can be used for patient monitoring using real-time data and enabling better and faster decisions by practitioners.
Cost-effective consultations can be provided remotely to any patient, including remote and impoverished areas through better connectivity and haptic devices.
Operating theaters using video analytics and sensors, can transmit multiple 4K video streams of the surgery as well as images captured by the medical equipment to be combined in a single view providing an immersive experience for surgeons, clinicians and medical students.
Metaverse
Future networks will catalyze and improve the metaverse use cases. The metaverse, defined here as the convergence of virtually enhanced physical and digital reality, could benefit from an expanded use of sensors embedded in the physical world sending data to the digital representation in real time.
The augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) devices that port us into the metaverse need to be connected via physical 5G network and will be upgraded to connect to 6G networks in the future.
The enhanced connectivity brings advantages to a few existing metaverse use cases:
Conclusion
Industries and governments are already beginning to see the economic, social and environmental impacts of 5G adoption.
With the potential to transform many industries, 5G and 6G technologies will continue to drive innovation over the next two decades.
It is notable that the advances in the technology have significant potential to monitor and take action in the protection of vulnerable natural habitats, animal welfare protection and emission reductions through the technology itself and the efficiencies it brings.
I hope I have inspired you to think and strategize on how and where you would like to invest or implement changes to your business. These changes will not happen overnight, the level progress and outcomes are the result of our combined actions.