Scientists set a new record for data transmission in 6G network

LG specialists, together with German engineers, managed to demonstrate the ability of 6G equipment to transmit a signal over a record distance without loss in real conditions.

Last year, LG demonstrated the confident operation of its 6G communication equipment in real conditions when transmitting data over 320 meters. A new record was set during data transmission over 500 meters. This is comparable to the typical communication range of a modern network base station. As with the previous time, LG’s experts were assisted in the experiment by engineers from the Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute.

According to the experts, this milestone is crucial, as 500 meters is the standard distance for powerful base stations installed in urban areas. The new tests also confirmed that 6G technology can provide connectivity between buildings, between buildings and the ground, and between ground terminals. Thus, the technology is getting closer to real-world applications.

To overcome the main disadvantage of 6G communication systems — a short range — LG and the German institute have developed a new multi-channel power amplifier, which has increased the power of the equipment by more than 50% and thus achieved a new record for communication range.

Standardization of 6G networks is expected in 2025, with commercial deployment worldwide in 2029−2030. In China, the rollout of 6G networks may start earlier. At least early access to 6G is promised there by the end of 2024, or about a year later. The installation of frequencies for 6G at the draft level should take place in December this year, as reported by representatives of the World Radiocommunication Conference.

Last week, AST SpaceMobile, a satellite communications company backed by the US cellular operator AT&T, made a call via satellite using the AT&T 5G frequency band. According to AST SpaceMobile, this was the first ever 5G connection between a satellite in space and a regular smartphone, which does not normally support satellite communications.