A group of Japanese companies recently showed off the world’s first 6G device. It can send data at an amazing 100 gigabits per second (Gbps) over distances of more than 300 feet. This is 20 times faster than the fastest 5G technologies that are already out there.
Some of Japan’s best phone companies, including DOCOMO, NTT Corporation, NEC Corporation, and Fujitsu, worked together to make this prototype.
The group of researchers released the results of their successful tests on April 11th. They showed that the prototype can hit speeds of 100 Gbps both indoors and outdoors using the 300 GHz band and the 100 GHz band.
Representatives for the consortium say that the 6G transmission has been tested over a 100-meter (328-foot) distance.
The Reality
Even though the speeds are very fast, it’s important to keep your standards in check. The 6G technology was tried with just one device and isn’t ready to be used in companies yet. This network system also has some problems that need to be fixed.
With a potential maximum speed of 10 Gbps, 5G is currently the fastest way to connect to the internet. On the other hand, users, like U.S. T-Mobile customers, see speeds of about 200 megabits per second (Mbps).
The use of higher frequency bands in 5G networks is a big reason for these slower speeds. Although these frequencies can make data transfer faster, they also have some problems, like a shorter range and the inability to pass through things.
Even higher frequency bands are used in 6G, which is better than 5G technology. So, 6G devices might not be able to get the frequencies they need to send info faster.
For example, 6G tests were done at lengths greater than 328 feet (100 meters). The signal strength of 6G can be greatly weakened by things like walls and even rain.
So, while 6G may hold a lot of promise, we still don’t know how it will be used in the real world.
