Japan Starts 6G Trial, Can Reach Cellular Communications From Sea To Sky

JAKARTA - A telecommunications company based in Jeju is currently reportedly testing the latest sixth network or 6G, which is claimed to be available in 2030.

It is NTT Docomo and NTT that have started 6G trials with equipment manufacturers Fujitsu, NEC, and Nokia. Although some operators are still exploring 5G, the attention of the cellular industry is now slowly shifting to the next generation network.

It is hoped that NTT DoCoMo, 6G can provide major advances in speed, capacity and low latency thanks to the use of sub-terahertz (THz) spectrum, which can extend the range of cellular communications to the sea and sky.

According to the report, the pilot started by looking at how to maximize the potential of the THz spectrum, and how artificial intelligence (AI)-based wireless transmission methods could provide the required performance reliability.

“6G studies are progressing two or three years faster than 5G. From this early stage, we look forward to collaborating with the world's leading global vendors to proactively demonstrate breakthrough concepts and technologies and promote them to the world," said Executive Vice President, and CTO at DoCoMo, Naoki Tani.

Indoor trials will begin before the end of March 2023 and the findings will be shared with global research groups, conferences and standardization bodies.

Launching TechRadar, Wednesday, June 8, if that target is met, then 6G will deliver 100 times the capacity over 5G and will be able to support 10 million devices per square kilometer.

That way, the signal will extend 10,000 meters above the surface like 3D coverage in the sky, outer space and underwater. All of these capabilities will deliver intelligent sensing, positioning, edge computing, and high-definition imaging.

The development and deployment of 6G is seen as a trillion-dollar opportunity for the mobile industry. However, it is too early to predict the final shape of the 6G standard and what technologies will be included.

Meanwhile, research efforts are also well under way in Europe, China, Japan, and in North America to become a leader not only in the development of 5G applications and services, but also technologies that will encompass global standards.