In a significant development for the future of mobile connectivity, a Japanese consortium recently unveiled the world’s first high-speed 6G prototype device. This collaborative effort, led by tech giants DOCOMO, NTT Corporation, NEC Corporation, and Fujitsu, boasts 20x improvement over current 5G technology.
The prototype achieved transmission speeds of 100 gigabits per second (Gbps) over a distance exceeding 300 feet. These impressive results were achieved during tests conducted in April, utilizing the 100GHz band indoors and the 300GHz band outdoors.
While the technology leverages higher frequency bands for faster speeds, these very bands come with limitations. Unlike 5G, 6G signals struggle to penetrate walls and are significantly impacted by other environmental conditions. This poses a hurdle for consistent signal strength and network coverage.
Despite these hurdles, the potential applications of 6G could open doors to real-time holographic communication and faster virtual and augmented reality experiences.
However, the road to widespread 6G use remains distant as a complete overhaul of cellular infrastructure and a new generation of 6G-compatible devices are needed before this technology becomes more common.
Nevertheless, this prototype represents a significant leap forward, offering a glimpse into the transformative future of mobile connectivity.
Image: Unsplash
