USA
A number of companies, policymakers, and academics in the USA are working to secure leadership for the country in 6G. Companies like Intel and Qualcomm have patented chips that will be used for mobile phones and computer hardware equipment.
A new alliance called the Next 6 Alliance has been initiated by the country to boost research and counter the 6G in China threat. The primary goal is to quicken the pace of the 5G rollout and simultaneously advance wireless technology leadership. The private sector has been roped in to aid in the achievement of this goal.
Members include major U.S. carriers, device vendors, hyperscalers, and tech companies. Nokia, Google, Samsung, Facebook etc. are already a part of this burgeoning alliance. A roadmap to 6G has been released by the Alliance which encompasses R&D, manufacturing, standardization, and market readiness.
Japan
With a share of 9.9% in global 6G filings, Japan comes a far third after the USA which secured a 35.2% share. Nonetheless, the country has made significant leaps in the 6G research under its “Beyond 5G” program. The program aims to advance the features of 5G, offer disruptive innovation, and strengthen Japan’s international competitiveness.
It is led by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and members include notable universities and companies like Soft Bank Group, NTT, Toyota Motor, Panasonic etc. Besides developing, advancing, and standardizing a spectrum of technologies across sectors like quantum tech, AI, networks etc., international collaborations are also being promoted.
In 2021, Japan signed a joint research agreement with Finland to accelerate the development of communications technology. It has also partnered with the U.S. under the US-Japan Competitiveness and Resilience (CoRe) Partnership Agreement to work on a range of issues, most notable being 5G and 6G. Japanese companies Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) and DOCOMO have announced their association with Fujitsu, NEC, and Nokia to conduct 6G trials in order to release the technology by 2030.
Conclusion
Various countries worldwide are working towards making 6G a reality for the myriad benefits it promises for their citizens and the planet. Recently, The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which is the specialised UN body for information and communication technologies, unveiled a plan to begin the setting of 6G standards by 2024.
The rate of Chinese progress in the field is certain to once again give them strong control over the proceedings. Of course, this will not go down well with countries like the U.S. and Japan who are eager to limit China’s rising dominance.
Meanwhile, the world eagerly awaits the advanced benefits 6G is likely to endow. There are myriad expectations in diverse fields like science & tech, medicine, manufacturing etc., about the innovative disruption that 6G will bring with it. All eyes are now on the leading players who will make this possible!
