by SAVIOUS KWINIKA
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – BARELY three weeks after the World Internet Conference (WIC) announced various Chinese companies were into research aimed at transiting from fifth generation technology (5G) to 6G, global citizens reacted differently.
The highly-rated 6G is widely viewed as a game-changer towards advancing extended reality (AER), artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, digital twinning, internet of things (IoT), Optimize Communications, Interoperability and Sustainability.
The 6G network is therefore defined as a cellular network that operates in untapped radio frequencies and uses cognitive technologies like AI to enable high-speed, low-latency communication at a pace multiple times faster than 5G networks.
However, global citizens have reservations about the world transiting to 6G arguing it would expose the world’s estimated 8 billion people into health hazards of terahertz radiation.
WIC tweeted: “Chinese companies have started research into”#6G”, the next-generation telecommunication technology that will likely succeed #5G. They are working to prepare for a fully internet-connected world.”
While the research on 6G continues, it is however highly anticipated the 6G will significantly improve download speeds, eliminate latency, and reduce congestion on mobile networks.
Technology companies believe in development for 2030, 6G will support advancements in technology, such as VR, AR, metaverse and AI.
New capabilities make everyday tasks easier or in some cases completely eliminate old ways of doing things.
Currently, there is still no universally accepted definition for 6G, the wireless technology that is expected to have far lower latency, higher speed and more bandwidth than 5G.
Upon the announcement of the 6G research, with a possibility to exit 5G, many citizens reacted with different views.
One such concerned citizen identified themselves as Ntsetselelo, from Eswatini, who said: “Swaziland is stuck in 3G and a bit of 4G in that process.”
Achraf Sellam decried: “We still have only 4G in Morocco.”
Professor Ben Adewuyi supported the transition to 6G insisting: “(We have) no time to waste. The world is moving. Research has already started into 6G – the next generation telecommunication technology to take over 5G.”
Qadir Khan Yousafzai noted: “This research is being undertaken in anticipation of a future where virtually all devices and services are fully internet-connected.”
Kausa Arnold queried: “How fast do the Chinese want to be.”
Emma Von Baer said: “I’m waiting for 6G coming,” while Matovu Geofrey pointed out: “Before we in Africa fully get to use 5G and even some 4G?”
Tendy Willie said: “We haven’t even fully utilised 5G and now we are looking at 6G.”
Clarence Gumise Ndlovu highlighted: “To think I have not even used 5G yet.”
5G Not Yet Exhausted
Several developing countries declared the forthcoming 6G into the market would have come at a time an estimated 6 billion people were yet to realise the full potential rollout of 5G, which equally offers greater speed and capacity than ever before.
“My concern is that most African countries are yet to experience the full potential of 5G technology yet we are equally being murmured of 6G technology innovation,” are market watchers.
Fears About 6G
Timothy Tayo Taiwo said: “Hope you wouldn’t use this technology to destroy this earth,” while Genius Lucky concurred: “They’re fully prepared forgetting about its consequences on Earth. Even 5G is overwhelming us with the COVID-19 then what on Earth would 6G bring?”
How 6G Will Boost Interoperability
-6G could go beyond our current network of cell towers to include new connectivity methods.
– Backward compatible with current and earlier “G”s and embracing these new ways to connect, 6G can optimize connectivity thereby enabling greater data transfer. This faster data exchange can open up many new possibilities for:
– Interoperability between humans, earth, space, and sea via sensing.
– Human communication with robots, IoT devices, and wearables.
– Robots performing dangerous jobs in place of humans, for example, in mines, and transmitting data easily.
– Education being further reaching and more immersive.
-Robots and drones to supplement the hospital and delivery service industries.
– Radio frequency sensing of where devices are to offer new cyber security options.
– CAJ News