China builds 'world's first' 6G field test network

Chinese telecom engineers from the Beijing University of Post and Telecommunications have set up a field test network that can achieve 6G transmission capabilities on existing 4G infrastructure, the Xinhua news agency reported.

The university's team of engineers presented their initial findings on the operation of the experimental network at a conference held in the Chinese capital on July 10.

The experimental network, which uses a technique called semantic communication, has achieved a "tenfold improvement in key communication metrics, including capacity, coverage and efficiency," according to media reports, which did not provide further details.

Xinhua said the 6G field test network is a "world first" and can effectively lower the entry threshold for 6G research, accelerating the initial verification of 6G key technologies.

The network features deep integration of communication and AI, which is "an important direction" in the evolution of communication technology, said the report.

"The integration of the two will accelerate the formation of new business forms of the digital economy," Professor Zhang Ping, who heads the university's research team, reportedly said at the conference where the 6G field test network was unveiled.

"AI will improve the perception and semantic understanding of communication, while the ubiquitous communication of 6G will in turn extend the reach of artificial intelligence to all corners of all fields," Zhang was quoted as saying.

Related:SKT and Singtel prepare for 6G transition, agree to build next-gen telco networks

6G race is on

6G Internet services are expected to be commercially available around 2030, but work on 6G standards is ongoing and could be completed later this decade.

6G networks will be able to use higher frequencies than 5G networks and offer much higher capacity and much lower latency.

The 6G technology market is also expected to enable major improvements in imaging, presence technology and location awareness. In conjunction with AI, the 6G computing infrastructure should be able to determine the best location for computing, including decisions about data storage, processing and sharing.

Several countries around the world have joined the race to develop the next generation of communications technology.

China aims to launch the first 6G services by around 2030, with 6G standards expected to be in place by next year.

Japan plans to establish key technologies for 6G by 2025 and begin offering "beyond 5G" communications services by 2030, in partnership with companies such as NTT Docomo and Sony.

In February, the US and nine other countries outlined six common principles for 6G wireless networks, including protecting national security, using spectrum efficiently and protecting privacy.

Related:SKT unites with Docomo, NTT and Nokia to develop 6G AI air interface