Experts predict that the Sixth-generation (6G) mobile network, based on artificial intelligence (AI), will combine communication and computation, with the potential to create a world where digital and physical experiences are hyper-connected, thereby transforming our daily lives.

"In the past, we talked about the Internet of Things, but for 6G, we are talking about the intelligent Internet of Things," said Qin Fei, Dean of the vivo Communication Research Institute. Since 2020, the company has intensified its R&D efforts on 6G.

Although 5G has not yet been fully deployed globally, communication and technology companies are already planning for 6G wireless networks. With improvements in data latency, security, reliability, and the ability to process large amounts of global data in real-time, experts believe that 6G will change the way we entertain and work.

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The new use cases for 6G networks envisioned by Qin Fei include mixed reality, holography, multi-sensory communication, interactive 3D virtual digital humans, collaborative robots, and autonomous driving, among others.Artificial Intelligence Boosts the Next Generation of Networks

6G is expected to begin deployment around the year 2030. The United Nations' telecommunications agency, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), has indicated that it plans to complete the preliminary standardization process for 6G no later than 2030.

Optimized by artificial intelligence technology, experts anticipate that 6G will have a more significant impact than 5G. There are two reasons for this: firstly, because it will achieve the integration of computing and mobile communication. Secondly, because it will integrate the digital and physical realms, introducing new sensory experiences for users.

In other words, 6G will provide super communication and ubiquitous information, merging computing services to become the foundation of an interconnected, integrated physical and digital world.

Capgemini Consulting agrees with this perspective and predicts that 6G networks will enable large-scale, ubiquitous immersive sensory digital experiences. According to a report from the consulting firm, this will allow 6G applications to "perceive" the surrounding environment, thereby transforming the network into "our sixth sense."Artificial Intelligence and Communication

Each generation of wireless networks is becoming increasingly complex compared to the previous one, relying on other technologies to fully realize their capabilities, making them easier to operate.

6G is expected to be one of the first AI-native networks, embedding artificial intelligence into network devices. This will enable the network to self-learn and manage, become more autonomous, and operate at a lower cost.

When designing 6G networks, people will use artificial intelligence technology to design interfaces and manage 6G networks. Among them, machine learning and AI-based network automation are essential for simplifying network management and optimization.Qin Fei stated: "A 6G network with built-in artificial intelligence is like a student with extremely strong learning capabilities. The 6G network will self-train and self-learn, and as a student, it will become increasingly powerful."

The Disruptive Nature of 6G

Although the 6G standards and specifications are still under development, experts unanimously agree that it will be a leapfrogging technology. With higher speeds and significantly reduced latency, 6G may be 10, 50, or even 100 times faster than 5G.

At the same time, 6G will also improve connectivity, security, and reliability, as well as the ability to integrate the digital and physical worlds.For 5G, it is primarily a communication technology, which is also its core. However, for 6G, in addition to stronger communication technology, it also includes computation as well as other related services.

Another benefit of 6G is a more extensive geographical coverage compared to 5G. Moreover, 6G will also connect various machines.

Qin Fei said that 6G networks will also popularize the use of digital twin technology, which aims to replicate physical entities into the virtual world for simulation, to predict the performance of physical entities in the real world.

This is possible because 6G networks enhance connectivity, possess stronger sensing capabilities, and the ability to collect a large amount of data.

When humans have more powerful connectivity and sensing capabilities, more sensors can be installed in the physical world and a large amount of data about the world can be collected. With this data, we can build models and reconstruct the world on a digital stage.At the same time, 6G will support dozens or even hundreds of new services across various industries. Currently, Qin Fei and his team are developing prototypes of 6G mobile technology based on three trends: communication + sensing; communication + computing; and communication + artificial intelligence.

Also, the team is developing an application prototype that can collect users' biometric data and monitor their health while they sleep.

Driven by this technological vision, a person's bedside phone could be transformed into a medical monitoring device. If there are any issues or abnormalities with your breathing, the phone may send an alert to the hospital.

Virtual and mixed reality glasses are another potential application of 6G. They could make video streaming a more engaging and immersive experience, completely transforming the way we stream videos.

However, current AR glasses have limited computing power. Therefore, they need to be connected to the cloud as an edge device in order to provide a better experience for users.6G will also support autonomous or driverless cars. Qin Fei said: "I believe that autonomous driving will become very popular after 2030 and will be supported by 6G.

Autonomous cars need to collect various types of data, such as the surrounding environment, road conditions, and even data from adjacent vehicles, in order to make the right decisions, such as whether to accelerate or brake. 6G can provide computing power and networking."

Although the 5G mobile network has not yet met initial expectations, most experts agree that 6G has the potential to make significant progress in connectivity and computing power. However, like any complex and powerful new technology, 6G also faces challenges, including network capacity and energy consumption.

Entering the 6G era requires increasing network capacity, and finding the right telecommunications spectrum to support its deployment is crucial.

The spectrum for 6G is expected to be located in the lower spectrum, such as 6.4 to 7.1 gigahertz, because electromagnetic waves in the lower frequency bands have better physical coverage and penetration characteristics.Minimizing the energy consumption and carbon emissions of 6G is another major task. The computational demands of 6G networks will far exceed those of 5G.

Providers and users need to collaborate to minimize energy usage. A report from the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) indicates that energy-saving technologies, such as AI-driven sleep modes and lithium-ion batteries, may help improve the energy efficiency of 6G.

Ultimately, 6G can only be successful if it provides exceptional experiences and services to consumers and businesses. Therefore, people should avoid over-engineering of 6G networks.

Some issues faced by 5G networks, such as bottlenecks in other technologies required to support new 5G terminals, are lessons that should be learned in the development of 6G.

To avoid these problems, cooperation across the entire ecosystem is needed to jointly develop 6G infrastructure, mobile terminals, and applications.