"6G Technology Race Accelerates with Transmission Speeds 50 Times Faster than 5G"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] Following 5G mobile communication, the pace of Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics' efforts to maintain technological leadership in 6G is accelerating. Theoretically, 6G, which is up to 50 times faster than 5G, is expected to be commercialized around 2030.

According to the Ministry of Science and ICT on the 28th, the four-day event 'Mobile Korea 2021' held from the 23rd to the 26th was organized to secure global leadership in the next-generation mobile communication field by leading the 5G convergence service market and further the 6G vision and technical standards based on the experience of 5G.

At the event, Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics presented the current status of communication technology development in the THz (terahertz) band and conducted technology demonstrations. Tricomtec, Korea Information and Communication Technology Association, and Daejeon Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation showcased applications such as 5G-based human movement and facial expression digital human applications, and abnormal behavior detection inside train cars, respectively.

Choi Sung-hyun, Executive Vice President of Samsung Electronics, who attended the presentation on '6G Technology Outlook and Development Progress,' stated, "6G commercialization is expected in 2030," adding, "The maximum transmission speed will be 50 times faster than 5G, and latency will be reduced to about one-tenth." The communication speed of 6G is theoretically 1000 Gbps per second. Considering that the maximum data transmission speed of 5G is 20 Gbps, it is theoretically 50 times faster. Latency can be implemented up to 100 μs (microseconds, one hundred-thousandth of a second). EVP Choi predicted that technology development using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) will accelerate in the communication field as well. He also anticipated that network equipment based on closed interfaces will shift to open-source-based systems.

Samsung Electronics established the Next Generation Communication Research Center under Samsung Research in May 2019, the first year of 5G commercialization, and has already begun advanced research on 6G technologies. Last year, it also presented its vision by releasing the 6G white paper titled ‘The Next Hyper-Connected Experience.’ Samsung Electronics is the first among major global telecommunications operators such as Huawei, Nokia, and Ericsson to publish a 6G white paper.

EVP Choi predicted that once 6G technology is realized, the era of extended reality (XR) using three-dimensional holograms will become commonplace, surpassing virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). ▲ Truly Immersive XR ▲ High-Fidelity Mobile Hologram ▲ Digital Replica will also become feasible. Furthermore, he identified key technologies for this as ▲ technology for utilizing the THz frequency band ▲ new antenna technology to improve coverage in high-frequency bands ▲ duplex innovation technology ▲ network topology innovation ▲ frequency sharing technology to enhance frequency utilization efficiency ▲ satellite utilization ▲ and high-precision networks.

In particular, EVP Choi emphasized the importance of satellites in 6G. He said, "Satellites can provide communication anywhere in the world, including Antarctica and the Arctic." This year’s forum also received recognition for broadening the scope of discussion by including the ‘Satellite Communication Forum,’ established in July, as a co-hosting organization, considering the importance of future satellite communications.

The reason the Korean government has decided to focus on technology development in areas difficult for the private sector to actively invest in, such as low-earth orbit satellite communication technology, ahead of the 6G era is for these reasons. The development strategy announced by the Ministry of Science and ICT in the first half of the year, aiming to become a leading country in satellite communication technology in the 6G era, includes plans to launch 14 low-earth orbit communication satellites by 2031. In the 6G era, low-earth orbit satellites are expected to replace ground base stations, making satellite technology crucial. However, Korea has been criticized for lacking related experience and having a significant technology gap with leading countries.

It is not only Samsung Electronics. LG Electronics is also continuing research on 6G technology development and standardization. LG Electronics was previously selected as the chair company of the ‘Next G Alliance’ organized by the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) in the United States. The Next G Alliance was founded by ATIS at the end of last year to secure leadership in 6G technology, with 48 global companies participating, including Verizon, AT&T, Qualcomm, Nokia, and Samsung Electronics. Selected as the chair company of the application division, LG Electronics is responsible for discovering 6G use cases and establishing related technical requirements.

The competition among global conglomerates and governments of various countries to secure 6G technology leadership is also fierce. The forum introduced the visions and strategies of major advanced countries leading 6G communication technology development, including the United States (FCC, NSF), Europe (DG Connect, Hexa-X), China (MIIT, CAICT), Japan (MIC, NICT), and the United Kingdom (DCMS). Global companies in the telecommunications components and equipment sector such as Nokia, Qualcomm, Ericsson, and NTT Docomo also presented their 6G communication visions and current status.