6G NETWORKS UP

By PAUL KORZENIOWSKI  B2B Content producer, Self-employed 

ENERGYCENTRAL- Feb 19, 2024 - Many energy companies have deployed 5G networks, which were designed to support emerging edge applications. Work on a follow up wireless Wide Area Network (WAN) option, 6G, recently reached an important stage. Suppliers are moving forward building and starting to test compliant products, foreshadowing the emergence of the next generation of mobile wireless networking solutions.

6G promises to deliver a number of networking improvements. 4G networks operated at megabit speeds, 5G pushed the network top speed to the gigabits range, and 6G has the potential to support terabit top speeds. Consequently, the new network option can support a broad range of emerging remote, high bandwidth applications, like Generative Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality, and high quality video streaming services.

Lower latency is another benefit. 5G networks now have latency levels of about 5 milliseconds. 6G plans to reduce that number to .01 milliseconds. So remote employees will not have to sit and stare at their computer screens waiting for them to update.

Vendors Ready 6G Solutions

Consequently, suppliers are starting to prepare their next generation solutions. In 2023, many suppliers, including AT&T, Intel, MediaTek Inc., Samsung, and T-Mobile, filed patents for their 6G products. The number of such filings has grown at a CAGR of 46% between 2019 to 2023, according to GlobalData’s Disruptor Intelligence Center.

Places to test such solutions are also emerging. Nokia and Capgemini have jointly established 6G labs to explore advanced network capabilities, with an emphasis on its energy efficiency. In India, NXP Semiconductors and Keysight Technologies set up labs in Germany for 6G product testing. Meanwhile, Ericsson has been expanding its Canadian next-gen technology research and development efforts.

Wireless WANs have become an important element supporting energy company remote business applications. The building blocks for 6G networks are being put into place and have the potential to support a new generation of high bandwidth, highly immersive applications that have the potential to change how remote work gets done.

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This thought leadership article was originally shared with Energy Central's Digital Utility Community Group. The communities are a place where professionals in the power industry can share, learn and connect in a collaborative environment. Join the Digital Utility Community today and learn from others who work in the industry.

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