"White House Sparks 6G Development Planning"
White House officials, business leaders, and academics are set to meet on Friday to discuss the development of next-generation 6G wireless technology. The meeting will also examine the lessons learned from the 5G rollout. While the 6G technology is still years away, the administration's initiative is likely to help the US beat China and re-establish its position as a leader in wireless connectivity, as well as plan for technologies crucial to national security and the economy.
According to a security official for the Biden administration, it is essential to begin exploring these issues early. The White House aims to apply the lessons learned from 5G to create a 6G network that optimizes performance, accessibility, and security.
Compared to 4G, 5G promised superior performance in terms of speed, reliability, and zero lag time, opening up a range of possibilities, from new surgical procedures and safer transportation to more immersive video games. The rollout of 5G infrastructure in the US is mostly complete, with the final few carriers launching their services in 2022. However, consumer adoption still lags behind 4G in the country. ABI Research forecasts that by the end of 2023, over 270 million subscribers will use 4G connectivity, compared to just over 170 million 5G subscribers.
Some countries, including China, have found more success with 5G. However, Leo Gergs, an analyst at ABI Research, stated that conditions in China are not directly comparable to those in the US, as the Chinese government has much more influence over business decisions.
Gergs also believes that the limited adoption of 5G in the US can be attributed to slower-than-expected infrastructure development. As a result, 5G networks are less potent, and consumers may not see enough incentives to pay a premium for 5G connectivity. Gergs added that for consumers, 4G connectivity is good enough, and they are less willing to pay an additional fee for the low latencies or faster data rates that 5G promises to consumers.
It remains unclear what 6G will look like. However, the government anticipates that by combining elements such as AI, advanced software, cloud computing, and cutting-edge semiconductor chips, it can create faster networks to support applications in health, energy, transportation, water, and agriculture.
Despite the potential benefits of 6G, the government's early focus on the technology risks hyping it up and making it even harder for carriers to convince consumers to upgrade to existing 5G subscriptions, Gergs warned. For the wireless industry, he added, it is "a delicate situation."
In conclusion, the White House's plans to discuss the development of next-generation 6G wireless technology reflect the administration's commitment to ensuring the US remains a leader in wireless connectivity. While 6G is still years away, early planning and collaboration with industry leaders and academics will be essential to ensure the technology optimizes performance, accessibility, and security. As the industry navigates this delicate situation, balancing the development of future technologies with the need to encourage consumer adoption of existing ones will be crucial.