China Prepares 6G Trials, Future Internet Not Only Faster

China is starting to prepare the way for 6G, the next generation of communication technology that will not only make the internet faster, but also connect land, sea, air, and space.

Citing a Xinhua report, Friday, June 5, the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology or MIIT launched a pilot program of collaboration between ministries and provincial governments for innovation and development of 6G.

This program is prepared to support the commercial launch of 6G in the future.

Its main focus includes the development of 6G technology, the integration of communication networks with artificial intelligence or AI, satellite internet, and wireless sensing.

China will also strengthen research on 6G transmitter stations, core network devices, terminals, chips, and operating systems. In other words, what is built is not just a signal. The ecosystem is also prepared.

The pilot area will test the use of 6G according to local needs. The targeted areas include immersive communication, industrial manufacturing, low altitude economy, tangible intelligence, and intelligent maritime operations.

Immersive communication refers to a more tangible communication experience, for example through virtual or augmented reality technology. The low-altitude economy is related to activities such as drones, small aerial vehicles, and short-distance air logistics services. Embodied intelligence refers to AI that works through physical devices, such as robots.

MIIT stated that it would monitor the development of 6G and adjust the trial plan if necessary. The ministry will also conduct technology trials through the IMT-2030 (6G) Promotion Group.

Xinhua's report said China wants to strengthen its position in next-generation communications technology. The country currently has the world's largest 5G network infrastructure, with millions of transmitters installed across the country.

Compared to 5G, 6G is said to be able to increase performance 10 to 100 times in transmission speed, latency, and reliability.

Latency is the time lag of data transmission. The smaller the latency, the faster the device responds. This is important for autonomous cars, industrial robots, remote health services, and other systems that require very fast responses.

6G coverage is also expected to be wider. The network not only reaches the mainland, but also air, space, and maritime areas.

Therefore, 6G is positioned as the backbone of the future digital transformation. Industries, transportation, ports, manufacturing, to public services can change if the technology is mature.

In early May, the MIIT stated that China had approved a trial spectrum in the 6 GHz band for the development of 6G technology.

The approval was given to the IMT-2030 (6G) Promotion Group. This group is authorized to carry out 6G trials in a number of selected areas.

The trial is aimed at technical research, testing, and validation based on the main scenarios and performance indicators set by the International Telecommunication Union or ITU, the international telecommunications body under the United Nations.

The IMT-2030 (6G) Promotion Group was formed by MIIT in June 2019. This group is the main platform for China's industry, universities, and research institutions to develop 6G mobile communication technology and expand international cooperation.