The Future of Connectivity: 6G Networks Expected to Outpace 5G by 9,000 Times
Next-generation phone networks could significantly surpass current ones due to a novel method for transmitting multiple data streams across a wide range of frequencies.
Wireless data has been transmitted at a remarkable speed of 938 gigabits per second, which is over 9,000 times faster than the average speed of a current 5G phone connection. This speed is equivalent to downloading more than 20 average-length movies each second and sets a new record for multiplex data, where two or more signals are combined.
The high demand for wireless signals at large events such as concerts, sports games, and busy train stations often causes mobile networks to slow down significantly. This issue primarily arises from the limited bandwidth available to 5G networks. The portion of the electromagnetic spectrum allocated for 5G varies by country, typically operating at relatively low frequencies below 6 gigahertz and only within narrow frequency bands.
To enhance transmission rates, Zhixin Liu from University College London and his team have utilized a broader range of frequencies than any previous experiments, spanning from 5 gigahertz to 150 gigahertz, employing both radio waves and light.
Liu explains that while digital-to-analog converters are currently used to transmit zeros and ones as radio waves, they face challenges at higher frequencies. His team applied this technology to the lower portion of the frequency range and employed a different technique using lasers for the higher frequencies. By combining both methods, they created a wide data band that could be integrated into next-generation smartphones.
This innovative approach enabled the team to transmit data at 938 Gb/s, which is over 9,000 times faster than the average download speed of 5G in the UK. This capability could provide individuals with incredibly high data rates for applications that are yet to be imagined, and ensure that large groups of people can access sufficient bandwidth for streaming video.
While this achievement sets a record for multiplex data, single signals have been transmitted at even higher speeds, surpassing 1 terabit per second.
Liu likens splitting signals across wide frequency ranges to transforming the “narrow, congested roads” of current 5G networks into “10-lane motorways.” He notes, “Just like with traffic, wider roads are necessary to accommodate more cars.”
Liu mentions that his team is currently in discussions with smartphone manufacturers and network operators, expressing hope that future 6G technology will build on this work, although other competing approaches are also being developed.
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