It comes as no surprise that the telecom industry is continuing with its best efforts to deliver the full potential of 5G use cases. Despite this, business leaders and the world at large are looking ahead to 5.5G and 6G technologies to deliver universal connectivity as well as unprecedented reliability and data speeds. Through integration with other emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), edge computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT), 6G networks have the potential to reshape industries, economies, and society as a whole.
In short, 6G could be a game changer for the digital world in which we live.
As current 5G deployments are carried out, business leaders will need to embrace a forward-thinking strategy to make future rollouts as seamless as possible. Amidst the collective media and industry buzz around the promise of 6G, telecom and cell tower companies are ramping up their strategies for the next-generation network’s expanded capabilities while – at the same time – continuing the 5G rollout.
Against the backdrop of the private sector's future rollout of 6G, the U.S. federal government is working to identify the lessons learned from the implementation of 5G, which began in 2019. Last year, the Biden administration revealed its strategies around 6G, emphasizing the dedication of the U.S. to becoming a world leader in the next generation of telecom networks.
5G Advanced/5.5G: The Middle-Ground
As 5G capabilities advance to 5.5G and eventually segue to the introduction of 6G, it will be critical for power designers and engineers to find the interim sweet spot to power low latency, high bandwidth, and extensive throughput and connectivity. Reduced capability 5G, or RedCap, is a reduced set of 5G capabilities that can provide up to 150Mbps downlink throughput and is intended for IoT devices like wearables and hotspots that have lower power and bandwidth requirements.
Next-generation networks such as 5G Advanced and 6G will support technologies that include extended reality (XR), global 3D connectivity, and self-learning/cognitive applications, which require massive bandwidth, high speeds, and low latency to ensure a seamless customer experience. These networks will actively reconfigure network elements (RAN/core/backhaul) to balance the “supply and demand” for throughput, speed, and low latency.
Focus on security and data trustworthiness will likely have a significant impact on network choices such as C-RAN, O-RAN, cloud-based, on-premise, private, public, and hybrid networks. To support these networks, power design/specification engineers will need to focus on using sustainable, highly efficient power technology.
Overcoming Operational Challenges of the 6G Rollout
The frequency spectrum will be one of the most critical elements to consider in the rollout of 6G, especially the Terahertz (THz) spectrum that 6G is expected to operate in. To accommodate operation at such a high frequency and with the need for line-of-sight communication, building newer cell towers that are less than 100 feet high and can be reused for 6G rollouts could help ensure a streamlined transition to 6G.
And with an increased need for more small cell deployments, existing towers in excess of 150 feet can be reused by placing radios on them at a lower height. These towers can also be used to provide fallback operational support for 4G and 5G spectrums. As small cells become more predominant over the next several years, driven by the rollout of 6G which is expected to occur in 2030, power conversion companies will need to prepare for powering 6G while still reusing the already available 5G resources.
Driving Novel Backhauling Capabilities and Wider AR/VR Adoption
The evolution of mobile networks to 6G and beyond could also help to improve connectivity to underserved areas including rural and isolated regions in the U.S. – as well as worldwide. To meet these connectivity challenges, wireless backhaul solutions and local operators are poised to fill the gaps.
With truly immersive experiences leveraging augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in the early stages of deployment, 6G’s expected speeds – up to 100 times faster than its predecessor – could revolutionize the scale of AR and VR adoption. One technology that will drive the future of faster and more widely available connectivity is radio access network (RAN) solutions with backhauling capability, called Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB). These can eliminate the need to bring fiber-optic backhaul to new cell sites.
Non-Terrestrial Components and Sustainability in 6G Adoption
Future wireless global connectivity will rely increasingly on non-terrestrial network (NTN) components that include drones (typically used in remote areas during crises), high-altitude platforms, and low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. For networks that rely on celestial hardware, deploying multiple LEO satellites that serve specific, targeted areas will play a vital role in overcoming latency issues. Furthermore, programs that utilize reusable rockets will help telecom providers achieve sustainability goals during the ongoing transformation from 5G to 6G.
Telecom providers will also rely on AI and machine learning to achieve sustainability goals. At times when a system has zero load, AI and machine learning can be utilized to reduce network power consumption to the minimum needed to keep the network operational. By taking actions to reduce a system’s environmental footprint, the telecom industry can adhere more effectively to regulatory demands that call for sustainable wireless network solutions that use resources as efficiently as possible.
Looking Forward
With its lightning-fast data speeds, universal connectivity, and near-zero latency, the impact of 6G networks has the potential to revolutionize the global technological landscape. As the world prepares for the next generation of telecom networks, future-proofing 5G for the rollout of 6G will require a strategic, collaborative effort of many stakeholders that include telecom companies, power providers, equipment manufacturers, regulators, and governments at the local, state, and federal level.
