Four Japanese telecom companies DOCOMO, NTT, NEC, and Fujitsu jointly developed the world’s first high-speed 6G device. Put upon data speed test, the device proved demonstratively fast- 500 times faster than 5G devices used currently.
The test was carried out on the sub-terahertz spectrum bands 100 GHz and 300 GHz over 100 meters. As you should know, the higher frequencies help deliver faster data throughput while lower radio waves translate into slow data transmission but wider coverage. As with the newer generation of wireless technologies, the aim is to achieve faster speed. So, 6G uses terahertz bands which are also called mmWave. It bears similarities with 5G in principle in terms of utilizing higher band frequencies. Check out: 5G SA vs NSA: How Each Deployment Differs, Pros and Cons
Since 2021, the four companies have been jointly carrying out tests on such devices in anticipation of the coming 6G era. Together, they have formed a consortium and continue to collaborate on 6G research and development.
The record-setting 6G device was recorded to clock 100 Gbps over 110 meters. How fast is that in the real world? To illustrate in a clearer context, such a speed lets you download 5 High-Definition movies a second.
Theoretically, 100 Gbps speed is at least 20 times faster than the 5 Gbps data rate the current 5G network is capable of. However, in a practical world, the speed is much faster than any telco that offers 5G data service.
Also read: 6G could arrive by 2030 but may not for mobile devices- Nokia
How did Japan come to create a 6G device and demo the record speed?
Since 2021, the four Japanese telco firms have been working on 6G R&D aiming to stir Japan in the lead for the next-gen cellular tech race. And likewise, the latest milestone had each making a significant contribution. Here’s what each of these companies did to realize the world’s first 6G device and record data speed.
- NTT produced a “top-level” 300 GHz band wireless device (6G device) that was capable of processing 100 Gbps per channel across 100 meters in the 300 GHz band.
- DOCOMO brought wireless transmission equipment to process 100 Gbps over the same distance (100 meters).
- NEC developed a multi-element active phased array antenna (APAA) comprising over 100 antenna elements.
- Fujitsu researched semiconductor technology to deliver energy efficiency in the 100 GHz and 300 GHz bands. It was able to achieve the world’s highest power efficiency in a high-output amplifier.
Four firms identify challenges
Although the record 6G speed was encouraging, it was simply a test and there’s still a long for to make it commercial. Four firms indeed have pointed out some challenges in their 6G R&D effort such as determining specific requirements of wireless devices operating in the sub-terahertz band and then developing those devices.
The companies will continue their research on 6G sub-terahertz communication utilizing each company’s expertise for 6G standardization. Japan. like many states, believes that 6G will become commercial around 2030. Well, South Korea claims the year would be 2028. So, the Asian giant is actively seeking to take an early lead in the next-gen wireless communication standard.
