6G: When Will It Arrive and How Will It Change Mobile Connectivity?

6G: When to Expect It and How It Will Differ from 5G

The evolution of mobile connectivity is happening in leaps and bounds, with 6G already generating excitement as the next major step after 5G. Remember when 3G felt revolutionary, bringing fast mobile internet to our phones? Then came 4G, turning smartphones into real pocket computers. Since 2019, 5G has been rolling out across many countries and is now considered the standard of the future. But engineers are already hard at work on the next generation-6G, which promises even higher speeds, ultra-low latency, and groundbreaking possibilities for smart cities, transportation, and healthcare. Naturally, the key question arises: when will 6G arrive, and what sets it apart from 5G?

What Is 6G in Simple Terms?

6G is the sixth generation of mobile networks, expected to succeed 5G by the end of this decade.

To break it down simply:

• 3G gave us mobile internet access.
• 4G enabled HD video and widespread apps.
• 5G accelerated data transfer and slashed latency to mere milliseconds.
• 6G aims for speeds dozens of times faster and latency so low, it's practically "zero."

In other words, 6G isn't just "faster internet." It's the foundation for new technologies: holographic calls, remote medical procedures, autonomous vehicles, and vast networks of smart devices.

Key Differences Between 6G and 5G

Today, 5G delivers speeds of several gigabits per second with latency around 1-10 milliseconds-enough for lag-free gaming, 4K streaming, and smart home integration.

But 6G has much bigger ambitions:

• Speed: Up to 100 times faster than 5G, potentially hundreds of gigabits or even 1 terabit per second.
• Latency: Not just milliseconds, but microseconds-crucial for applications demanding instant response.
• Scale: The ability to connect millions of devices per square kilometer.

In short, if 5G makes the internet "very fast," 6G makes it instantaneous and omnipresent.

6G Speeds and Frequencies

The headline feature of 6G is its extraordinary speed. Researchers predict:

• A theoretical maximum of up to 1 Tbps (terabit per second),
• roughly 100 times faster than most current 5G networks.

Achieving these speeds will require new frequency bands-sub-terahertz (from 100 GHz and above). These frequencies support massive data throughput but have a drawback: signals struggle to penetrate walls and lose strength quickly.

As a result, operators will need to build much denser networks of base stations, with hundreds of small transmitters throughout every city.

6G Technology and Capabilities

6G will be more than just a new "antenna" for the internet-it will be an entire ecosystem.

Artificial Intelligence in the Network

Networks will independently analyze traffic and optimize connections. AI algorithms will allocate resources so users never experience speed drops.

Holographic Communication

If 5G lets us watch 4K and 8K video, 6G will enable real-time transmission of three-dimensional images. Imagine a call where your conversation partner appears as a hologram.

Next-Level AR and VR

Augmented and virtual reality glasses will become true screen replacements. Thanks to near-zero latency, users can immerse themselves in digital worlds without motion sickness or lag.

Internet of Things

6G will power billions of sensors-from smart water meters to driverless cars-all operating synchronously and reliably.

Healthcare and Transportation

• Remote surgeries using robotic assistants.
• Autopilot systems that react instantly.
• Safety systems that predict accidents before they happen.

When Will 6G Arrive?

While research is already underway, the rollout of 6G is still several years off.

• 2025-2026: Active experiments and pilot projects at universities and tech companies.
• 2028-2029: Possible early commercial tests in select countries.
• Around 2030: The start of mass deployment for the new standard.

This means 5G will remain the dominant standard for at least the next five years, with 6G still in the preparation phase.

Is 6G the Future or Just Hype?

Some argue that talk of 6G is just hype, especially as many countries are only now rolling out 5G. But in telecommunications, planning always starts early. When 4G was expanding, engineers were already testing 5G. The same is happening now: while 6G isn't ready for mass use, research is moving full speed ahead.

So, it's more accurate to say that 6G is not a myth but an inevitable future. The only question is how quickly the world can build the required infrastructure and solve technical challenges around frequencies.

Conclusion

• 6G is the next step beyond 5G-offering not just higher speeds, but a fundamentally different internet: instantaneous, secure, and capable of connecting billions of devices.
• Its capabilities will transform many industries-from healthcare to transportation and entertainment.
• However, we'll need to wait a few more years: the first real networks are expected closer to 2030.

We're standing on the threshold of a new era in connectivity. If 5G paved the way for smart cities, 6G could make them truly dynamic-with holograms, autonomous vehicles, and a global digital fabric connecting the entire world.