With the introduction of 5G technology and the subsequent masts being introduced to broadcast that being installed across the country, 6G is being installed in Asian countries with some trialling 7G, so what do these offer that is different from 5G?
6G Rollout
Back in 2021, University of Glasgow trialled a 6G mast which offered 50 times the speed of 5G. However, these masts have to be tall because there will be fewer masts to reduce interference and offer a wide coverage area. In Manchester, a 15m (60ft) mast in a residential area has raised local concern and protests.
Since November 2022, Ericsson has be trialling 6G masts and networks in the UK and across Europe.
Why 6G?
Unlike 5G which simply broadcasts using a mast, 6G will interconnect with satellites to extend the signal coverage and reduce the latency of calls and data over the networks. Satellite calling only works outdoors but has global coverage, and works in areas without cellular towers, like up mountains.
The plan is for 6G to work at 1,000 times the speed of 5G and be 1,000th the latency.
However, this means the frequencies being used have to be a lot higher.
This also has to work with the 4 different satellite technologies, which will lead to roaming and handoff issues with 6G.
6G VLC - Visible Light Communication
Visible Light Communication is not a new technology, but with 6G a light source can transmit data at insane speeds.
The researchers also realised there is a lot of wasted RF energy from Visual Light Communication LED lights that can be harvested using a coil attached to the skin that can produce current to drive a sensor on the human body without batteries.
7G and 7.5G
7G or 7.5G aims to fix the problem with the satellite technologies and the standards are due to be accepted by 2030. Although there are Asian countries installing masts for 7G right now in order to test the hardware needed for the devices to become commercialised.
