5G and further 6G networks are not the evolution of the merely previous generations of wireless communications, but they are propaganda that will make possible to develop new applications, services, and experiences for every person, companies and societies. 5G and 6G networks are the future or wireless communication as they provide a significantly higher speed, lower latency, higher bandwidth, and connectivity.
Modern “wireless communications” has been under development for the past few decades with praises in people’s lives, organizations and societies. Now, the newest generation of the cellular network technology, called 5G was launched in 2019. Which is even faster and has even lower latency, wider bandwidth and better connectivity than its predecessors. However, as wireless service penetrates deeper into the society the drawbacks of 5G are being realized more and more. The need for the subsequent generation of wireless technologies, 6G, is being felt.
What is 5G?
Specifically, it stands for the fifth generation of cellular network technology which followed the 4G LTE technology. The 5G technology makes use of the higher frequency bands than the earlier generations ranging from low band. That goes up to 1GHz known as high band millimeter wave above 24 GHz in endeavoring to enhance the data transfer rates, bandwidth capability.
5G has the potential speeds at 10 Gbps which is more than 30 times faster than the theoretical speed from 4G LTE-Advanced at 300 Mbps. It also minimizes the latency, the time required for information to get from one place to the other, to as low as 1ms; 50 times lower than 4G LTE. Also, 5G might offer a connection density of up to one million devices per square kilometer. Wwhich is one hundred times higher than in the case of the 4g LTE.
Use Cases of 5G
Some of the uses of 5G are;
5G supports a plethora of new usages that demand fast, and efficient, but reliable wireless communications. Some of the use cases of 5G are:
Autonomous vehicles: 5G can facilitate real time sharing of data as well as communication between the vehicles, the infrastructure and the pedestrians. Hence enhancing safety and efficiency in the transport system.
Internet of Things (IoT): 5G can link trillions of meter-scale smart meters, wearables, bikes, drones. Much more to the internet to collect data, analyze it and automate multiple domains.
Smart cities: 5G will benefit IoT, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and big data in the management and operations of city services. Like traffic control and energy and waste management and security.
Remote healthcare: 5G can support telemedicine, remote surgery, and health monitoring. The applications would require high quality video streaming, haptic feedback, and vital sign transmissions.
Immersive gaming: Today, the 5G can add value to the game by displaying detailed images and realistic sounds in addition to multiplayer interactions.
Gaming and entertainment: The use of 4K/8K video streaming, setting up of 3D holograms, cloud gaming and all the other things which can be made to gam awesome with the help of 5G.
What is 6G?
6G is the successor to the 5G which stands for the sixth generation of cellular network technology. It is expected to be available by 2030 and is also expected to have even higher connectivity.Morever speed and furiously low latency as compared to the 5G. Some research claimed that 6G might go as far as giving us 1 terabit per second. Which is a hundred times faster than 5G, and a latency of less than 0. Some countries distinguish 5G and promote 6G. And the main parameter is the response time, which is 1 millisecond, 10 times lower than 5G.
It also could reach up to 10 billion devices per square kilometer, which is ten-fold more than 5G. 6G will work on frequencies higher than 5G in the terahertz range, (above 300GHz). Where new technologies like nano antenna, graphene, and quantum communication. May be used due to the issues pertaining to signal transmission, interference and power consumption.
Uses Cases of 6G
6G will take the humanity and the world to the new level of wireless connectivity where people/machines and the environment will be connected. Some of the use cases of 6G are:
Smart societies: Actually, 6G is expected to construct smart societies where all things will be smart, connected. And intelligent and all the processes will be based on Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Cloud computing and blockchain among others.
Holographic communication: 6G will allow people to actually talk to holograms of each other appearing. As actual 3D people; virtual reality, augmented reality, and haptic feedback.
Brain-computer interface: In the 6G the use of brain computer interface will be possible in which people will be able to control the devices. Or gather information through their thoughts using equipments like electroencephalography, functional magnetic resonance imaging and even surgically as neural interfaces.
Space internet: For 6G, space internet where satellites, rockets, space stations, and other space vehicles can communicate with one another and earth laser communication, quantum communication, OAM.
Higher frequency: 6G is anticipated to operate at higher frequency bands than 5g and 6G frequency bands will range from 30 to 300GHz. Which is millimeter waves to 300 to 3000 GHz which is the terahertz waves.
Better coverage: Next-generation 6G technology should have a better coverage than the presently deployed 5G by employing terrestrial as well as aerial and satellite networks. This means that 6G could make connectivity instant, constant and even possible in the unavailable. Such as the rural areas, the sky and in space.
Future outlook
The advent of 5G and 6G networks will create great chances and risks to the stakeholders of the wireless industry and the society. Some of these will in turn need an enormous investment, partnership. Next creativity from the operators, vendors and users, regulators and other stakeholders. They will also bring up ethical, social, and environmental questions. Like privacy, security, the digital divide, and power usage that have to be solved. That is why 5G and, especially, 6G networks are so important for the future. That the world is preparing for – connected, intelligent, and immersed.
Conclusion
5G has already revealed its capabilities in different spheres including but not limited to self-driving transportation systems. LoT, smart cities, remote medical care, and augmented reality gaming industries. 6G is expected to amplify the speed, latency, bandwidth. As well as connectivity of the wireless networks and will extend the horizons of the possibilities of smart societies. Such as holographical communication, BCI, space internet and more.
However, new wireless technologies like 5G and 6G present equal opportunities and challenges. Which include high costs, complexity, security, privacy and vulnerability, ethical issues, and environmental consequences. Thus, the stakeholders of the wireless industry and the society must come up with ways.That means of determining the rightful utility of 5G and 6G networks to support the noble causes. That will advance the welfare of man and the condition of earth.
