China Announces Launch of World’s First ‘6G’ Field Test Network.

China Pioneers World’s First ‘6G’ Field Test Network

China has launched the world’s first field test network for 6G, showing significant advancements in capacity, coverage, and efficiency, despite the technology not yet being standardized. This experimental network has demonstrated that semantic communication can achieve the anticipated transmission capabilities of future 6G systems using the existing 4G infrastructure. It provides a valuable platform for research institutions to conduct theoretical studies and initial verifications of potential 6G technologies, effectively lowering the entry barrier for 6G research.

China aims to commercialize 6G technology by 2030, with standard-setting expected around 2025, according to Wang Zhiqin, head of China’s 6G promotion team and vice president of the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology. Wang noted that China began 6G technological experiments last year and has been researching 6G system architecture and technical solutions. “In terms of 6G development, all nations are at the early stage of technological research and have not yet formed a unified standard in 6G network building and key technology,” Wang said.

He highlighted that 6G-related research has opened new application scenarios, including combining communication with sensitivity, artificial intelligence, and mass Internet of Things based on integrated satellite and terrestrial mobile communication.

Last year, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) allocated spectrum in the 6 GHz frequency band for 5G and 6G services. The ministry noted that the 6 GHz range is suitable for future deployment of 5G or 6G systems due to its coverage and capacity advantages. The allocation of the 6 GHz band at this time is “conducive to stabilizing the expectations of the 5G/6G industry.”