Mobile phones were limited to making calls in the early 19th century. People never thought about browsing the internet, video calls, or virtual shopping at that time. It was nearly impossible to even think about this until 1G made voice communication possible with poor sound quality back in the 1980s. Although the sound quality wasn’t great, and there were no text messages or internet. But it was the start of something big, and this small step opened the door to a future where we are able to communicate and make purchases at home.
1G was just the beginning, and then came 2G, 3G, and even 4G internet. How can we forget the 3G era when we used to download videos in hours? We used to rush behind signals just to use the internet. This was the first time we were able to Google and learn amazing things because 2G used to have very high latency.
4G completely changed our everyday lives, and watching videos, streaming music, and using social media became very easy. This rise in internet connectivity created a market gap in the supply and demand of mobile phones. Suddenly, everyone was loving this connectivity because they were able to see what was happening in the world for free.
Apps became more powerful, and smartphones became small computers in our hands. We also experienced the biggest boom in the mobile industry at that time. But then 5G broke all records due to its super-fast speed and very low delay. It makes people realize that the concept of smart cities, connected cars, and even remote medical surgeries is possible. According to Qualcomm, 5G produced over .1 trillion as global economic output, which makes it the backbone of 2025. 4G and 5G are still being used in many parts of the world, but the researchers are already working on 6G.
6G isn’t just about faster internet, unlike the earlier upgrades. It combines communication with artificial intelligence, advanced sensing, and even holographic experiences. Experts predict that 6G will be able to reach speeds of up to 1 terabit per second, which is almost unimaginable.
Therefore, we will discuss the concept of 6G internet and what researchers are claiming to do. When will 6G internet be available to the public? We will also explain how it will reshape industries, societies, and human interaction in the future. Who is working on 6G technology, and what are the rumors of 7G?
Wireless technology changed how we connect and share information over the past few decades. This Internet journey was first started with 1G in the 1980s. The first generation only allowed analog voice calls. The sound quality was poor, and there was no texting. These phones were bulky and difficult to carry everywhere, but still it was revolutionary. It makes it possible to communicate through mobile for the first time.
But this was just the beginning, and then came the 2G in the 1990s. It was the first time that people made virtual calls, and they were also able to send SMS messages. This simple feature made texting a daily habit around the world, and mobile usage spread rapidly. 2G was a step to 3G because it used to have very high latency. 3G made it possible to browse websites, check emails, and even make video calls in the 2000s. 3G set the foundation for a mobile internet culture, but data speeds were still limited.
According to the International Telecommunication Union, 3G was officially defined as part of IMT-2000 standards to support mobile broadband services. Companies identified the problem and started working on it. 3G became 4G over time, but with much higher data speeds. People loved 4G as they were able to stream YouTube videos, enjoy online gaming, and use social media apps smoothly.
Reports show that 4G connections delivered speeds of up to 100 Mbps, which was a huge success from the few megabits per second on 3G. British surgeon Shafi Ahmed performed the first surgery with 5G connectivity on April 14, 2016, at the Royal London Hospital in the UK. He removed a colon cancer tumor, and it was streamed by Medical Realities. But as 4G networks expanded, so did our data consumption. Almost half the world’s population was using a smartphone by 2018, and the total data consumption doubled within two years.
Doctor Shafi Ahmed performs world’s first virtual reality The launch of 5G in the late 2019s was the most unexpected thing that completely changed the way we use the internet. People started using the internet in their day-to-day lives, and social media platforms boomed. It became the source of entertainment and earning with ultra-low latency and the capacity to connect massive numbers of devices. 5G supports self-driving cars, smart factories, and remote medical care.
The use of 5G exploded and mobile users quickly adopted it. The number of global 5G connections was more than 2.25 billion in 2024, but it still has some limitations. A single 5G base station costs around 0,000 to 0,000 to deploy, and energy use is also higher. One 5G site consumes up to three times more power than a 4G site. These hurdles show that while 5G is powerful, it cannot fully meet the demands of the future. So, that’s why researchers from multiple companies are working on 6G.
6G stands for the sixth generation of wireless communication. It promises super-fast internet, almost zero delays, and wide coverage. Experts believe 6G could be up to 1,000 times faster than 5G, with latency so low that it works in microseconds. It means we will be able to connect within seconds, no matter where we are.
6G will use the terahertz (THz) frequency range, unlike 5G which uses millimeter waves. This frequency range will allow it to handle more data, provide precise location tracking, improve security, and even support advanced imaging features. We will be able to experience holograms, very realistic virtual reality, and smart systems.
But one of the most important things is that artificial intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) will rely on 6G. These technologies will help us make smart decisions for everything from streaming to choosing travel locations within seconds. Although we are witnessing driverless cars, there will be a 360-degree change in their functionalities after 6G. Therefore, many companies like Samsung, Nokia, and Huawei have already started working on 6G projects.
6G will work by combining new frequency ranges, intelligent software, and advanced infrastructure. It will not only transmit data but will also process and manage it intelligently. 6G devices will send and receive data using Terahertz (THz) frequencies, which allow terabit-per-second speeds. There will be Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) on buildings or towers that will redirect and optimize waves to save signals from being lost. RIS will make sure that our data stays safe with fewer dead zones.
AI in the RAN chooses the best path, like the right antenna, frequency, or RIS surface to transfer the signals. Then, this signal enters the brain of 6G (core network), where AI predicts demand, manages traffic, and assigns resources. Huawei noted that integrating AI models directly into the network reduces delays and increases efficiency.
Our data goes to a small server close to us instead of data centers that are far away. These servers process our requests quickly, so the latency also reduces by up to 47%. Signals jump to a satellite or drone when nearby towers fail to catch them(like in remote areas or oceans).
Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites and other non-terrestrial networks process the data. When our data moves from towers to satellites, quantum key distribution and blockchain protect it. Quantum tech makes it impossible to hack, and blockchain keeps records safe from black hoodie hackers.
Here are the key technologies behind 6G and how they will work together to change wireless communication.
Terahertz (THz) communication uses much higher frequencies than 5G does. These frequencies start from ~100 GHz and go up toward 1 THz, which gives a 6G huge bandwidth. It means 6G will be able to carry massive data at ultra-fast speeds and low delay. A research team in South Korea under the supervision of Professor Hyong-Ryeol Park at UNIST found a way to make terahertz waves 30,000 times stronger with a special nano-resonator. They shared that:
This achievement represents an incredible efficiency improvement of over 300% compared to previously reported THz nano-resonators.
Researchers from MNNIT, IIIT-Gwalior, and PEC are also working on a new antenna design in India. It will increase the data transfer speeds from 1 GB per second to 1 TB per second. But terahertz still has some challenges. Its signals get weak when they travel through the air or hit any obstacles. These experiments show that scientists are actively solving these problems to make 6G a reality.
6G will be smart by default. It means 6G will have AI and machine learning integration built in. There will be no extra add-ons like a 5G network. Researchers are already working on it, and Cornell University researchers have developed DMMAI. This Decentralized Multi-Party Multi-Network AI will build a 6G network that configures itself, monitors itself, and even repairs issues automatically.
Huawei also suggested integrating AI directly into network systems so the network can sense, make decisions, and reduce delays. They recommended this to reduce the unnecessary back-and-forth communication. AI/ML in 6G will help predict traffic, adapt the network, allocate resources, and reduce energy waste. These changes will enable new services like healthcare monitoring and robotics.
We all have experienced delays while scrolling when video lags or a game freezes at the worst moment. But we cannot afford such lags in a self-driving car or during remote surgery. The 5G network is fast but it lags so it is important to use strong technology. Blockchain is a powerful solution because it is decentralized. Its edge computing keeps information closer to the user instead of sending all the data back to far-away servers. This makes responses much faster and more reliable, which is exactly what 6G will need. A recent study on the integration of edge computing and 6G Networks found impressive results. According to the report:
“The results demonstrate significant improvements, including a 47% reduction in average latency, a 40% decrease in total energy consumption, and a 20% increase in resource utilization.”
Another study from the International Information and Engineering Technology Association (IIETA) highlighted the working mechanism of multi-access edge computing (MEC) with vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems. They found that self-driving cars and roadside sensors were able to exchange data and it created a smoother transportation network. Blockchain will make sure that 6G networks keep our data safe, transactions secure, and trust intact in the future.
The risks of cyberattacks are increasing every day. The more devices we connect, the bigger the risks. Traditional encryption methods used to be strong, but cybercriminals easily break them with powerful computing tactics. Quantum communication and quantum encryption technologies use powerful principles of quantum physics to protect our data from hackers. ResearchGate study shows that QKD can stop over 70% of cyberattacks. Researchers stated:
“We believe that QKD is regarded as an essential approach to enable the progress of secure mobile communication in the 6G environment.”
Many other research has also been done to secure data when it is being transmitted and when it’s stored. This protection is important for defense, healthcare, and financial data.
We take fast internet for granted in cities, but staying connected is still a challenge in remote villages and ocean sites. People don’t even have access to a 4G network, where we are using 5G. But the LEO satellite system will make 6G to reach such places. It improves global coverage so the internet feels the same everywhere, not just in cities. LEO satellites reduce weak spots and provide faster service with THz bands.
The 6G-TERRAIN project in Europe is also working to solve the coverage problem. It blends ground networks ( terrestrial networks) with satellites, drones, and high-flying platforms (non-terrestrial networks) with the help of AI. Leo Staeliites fills the gaps and will help 6G become a global network.
Many big companies, industries, and even governments have joined the race towards 6G technology. Keysight Technologies, a well-known testing company, has already started working on it. Tech giants like Huawei, Nokia, and Samsung have also confirmed that they are putting efforts into 6G research and development. Experts believe the competition for 6G will be even bigger than 5G.
6G internet is expected to be launched by 2030. It will use more advanced tools like the distributed radio access network (RAN) and the terahertz (THz) spectrum, unlike older networks. These advanced features will help boost capacity and reduce delays. Although people were talking about it for years, research and development (R&D) for 6G started around 2020.
Engineers are working on advanced technologies such as cognitive networks (networks that can think and adapt) and highly secure data systems to make 6G a reality. China is also growing quickly when it comes to the 6G network. They have already launched a 6G test satellite with a terahertz system. Tech giants like Huawei Technologies and China Global also announced plans for similar 6G satellite launches back in 2021. A Reddit user stated:
“4G was high lag. 5G promised you fix that. Not sure what 6G brings to the table.”
Here are the advantages of the 6G network over the 5G one:
6G will transport massive amounts of data much more quickly than 5G. Experts expect speeds up to 1 terabit per second (Tbps) in some cases. It means we will be able to download huge files in seconds, stream content smoothly, and run data-intensive apps without lag. Scientists already ran a test at University College London (UCL) where they transmitted data at 938 gigabits per second (Gbps) over wireless links. That’s almost 9,000 times faster than many 5G speeds.
6G’s extreme speed and ultra-low latency will allow immersive experiences in AR glasses, VR gaming, and mixed reality classrooms. VR headsets need wired connections to run smoothly today, but they could run wirelessly without lag with 6G. Researchers used AI to adapt video quality recently and found that their method reduced video quality variation by 29-50%. It also improved the frame transmission success rate by 5% to 48%.
6G will promote remote surgeries with robotic arms and sensors. Doctors will be able to treat patients in remote villages using stable 6G connections and AR-assisted tools. 5G opened doors for telemedicine, but 6G will make high-stakes healthcare applications possible. Researchers studied robotic telesurgery via 5G first to identify the gaps.
A surgery was performed remotely on pigs about 3,000 km away with the help of a surgical robot called “MicroHand.” Although the results were safe, researchers say 6G will make it even better. Surgeons will have sharper video, faster feedback, and less risk of delays.
Factories will use 6g for their robot swarms, drones, and IoT devices that need instant coordination due to their high-speed and low-latency communication. Nokia Bell Labs has suggested that 6G will drive automation and digital twins in manufacturing.
5G supports early versions of digital twins, but 6G brings the speed and precision needed for instant monitoring. Chief Strategy and Technology Officer at Nokia, Nishant Batra, said,”6G could alter every aspect of our lives.”
6G will make 3D holographic calls possible, and this will change education, entertainment, and meeting systems. Samsung has already demonstrated interest in holographic telepresence for future 6G use cases. Samsung states that:
“Our aim is to enhance future-proof and sustainable user experience by developing AI integration throughout the entire communication network and sustainable communication technologies.”
6G sounds exciting for us at first, but like every big change in technology, it comes with hurdles. The main promise of 6G lies in the terahertz (THz) spectrum, which allows ultra-fast speeds. But using THz in practice is not easy. THz waves are fragile, so they lose strength quickly when passing through walls, rain, or even air.
Researchers are working hard to fix this as a team at UNIST amplified THz waves 30,000 times using a nano-resonator to prove its possible to make THz signals stronger. But building devices like phones, antennas, and chips that can handle THz is a big challenge. People have also started calling it a failure or just a copy of 5G. A Reddit user shared:
“5G, like 4G, hasn’t and won’t deliver on its promise. Who is to say 6G will or that 7G will? Faster is better, but by itself it is not transformative.”
Rolling out 6G will cost a lot because it won’t just rely on cell towers. It will need thousands of small cells, new satellites, fiber-optic upgrades, and advanced edge computing servers. A GSMA report estimated that global telecom operators will spend over
If 5G already costs this much, then 6G could require even higher investments. But the main concern is for developing countries. Many people are not ready to invest in 6G because they believe it’s not going to work as they promise. A Reddit user shared that;
“I think you’re buying into too much marketing hype. All of these networks are just the same as the first one, but faster.”
There are concerns about privacy as 6G will rely on AI, blockchain, and quantum encryption to strengthen security. But no system is foolproof, and the more connected we are, the bigger the attack surface. The public is also worried about radiations that come with each new “G.”
These concerns are linked to higher frequencies like THz of 6G. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), current research does not confirm any health risks from exposure to mobile networks, including 5G. But people are cautious because 6G will use frequencies that are new to daily life.
Researchers used the phrase “Beyond 4G” (B4G) to describe technologies that were able to bring innovations about a decade ago. There were no guesses about what 5G technology would look like, as only experimental prototypes were being tested at that time. But history has repeated itself again, and now the term beyond 5G is rolling everywhere. Public reactions are mixed, and a few are complaining that it still has not even got 5G properly.
6G networks will work more like a web than a single tower-based system. Just like solar panels allowed us to produce our own electricity, 6G will allow different devices, satellites, and towers to connect and share signals. This change will help remove coverage gaps and give strong internet to villages, oceans, and mountains.
Data centers will also change a lot as they are already adapting to 5G, but they will need to handle even more data with 6G. Billions of sensors and smart devices will send information at the same time to these centers. So, companies will blend the local processing (edge computing) with cloud computing to deal with this data.
Some researchers even suggested a new system called a nano-core ( shared brain) to control different parts of the network. The nano-core does not need to be a physical network element. It can encompass a logical collection of computational resources from other networks and systems. 6G will not only carry information but also understand its surroundings. It will detect the movement of cars to improve road safety, map indoor spaces for rescue missions, or allow doctors to perform remote surgery with accuracy.
Researchers have already started exploring seventh-generation (7G) wireless technology even though 6G hasn’t launched yet. The IEEE is developing the 802.11be specification for 7G through its Extremely High Throughput group. The Wi-Fi Alliance is also preparing industry certifications to make sure devices can work together.
Some sources expect that the rollout of 7G will happen in the late 2030s or 2040s. But others say we’ll see research and early prototypes earlier, but mass deployment will take more time. 6G is designed to push Gigabit Ethernet-like speeds into consumer and business devices. Experts expect it to handle much higher throughput, stronger data flow, and more efficient use of spectrum. A Reddit thread predicts:
“The 6G network platform will provide intelligence, ever-present connectivity, and full synchronization in a cyber-physical continuum. Coming in 2029. According to whom? So what will a 7G network look like? Same as 5G, just faster.”
But here is the comparison between 6G and 7G:
| Feature | 6G (Projected) | 7G (Projected) |
| Speed | 11 Gbps | Up to 46 Gbps (4x faster) |
| Channel Bandwidth | Up to 3 × 160 MHz | 320 MHz (double the size) |
| Spatial Streams | 8 streams | 16 streams (double capacity) |
6G is far more than just another step in wireless evolution. People often talk about its incredible speed, but the promise of 6G goes far beyond that. Holographic communication, video calls, or global coverage will become so reliable that staying connected will never be a worry. It has the potential to bring innovations in industries from healthcare with remote surgeries, to education with virtual classrooms, and entertainment with experiences.
This journey will be full of challenges. The 6G network needs new infrastructure, address public concerns, and ensure global accessibility. But the best thing is that researchers are already working on it and even on 7G.
6G is expected to roll out around 2030, but its full-scale adoption might take a few more years. Global trials and research are underway right now to shape its standards and technology.
The biggest difference is speed and capacity. While 5G already feels fast, 6G is projected to be up to 100 times faster with ultra-low latency and support for technologies like holographic communication, extended reality (XR), and advanced AI networks.
Healthcare, education, entertainment, manufacturing, and transportation will get the biggest benefits. Remote robotic surgeries will become more common in healthcare, and immersive AR/VR classrooms will change education forever.
There is no scientific evidence that shows that 6G poses health risks so far. But many people are concerned due to its higher frequencies, like terahertz waves. Researchers and regulators are actively studying this to ensure safety before rollout.
The infrastructure costs for 6G will be high, which will make it difficult to project everywhere. However, projects involving satellite internet and global collaborations will make 6G more inclusive and accessible worldwide.
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