The experimental 6G network infrastructure of Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications uses existing 4G technology.

Engineers at Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications have built a pilot network that provides 6G transmission capacity on the existing 4G infrastructure, Xinhua news agency said.

At a conference in the Chinese capital, the university’s engineers presented initial findings on the operation of the experimental network. This network uses semantic communication and has achieved a tenfold improvement in key communication metrics, including capacity, coverage and efficiency. Further details have not yet been announced.

According to Xinhua, the 6G test network is a “world first” and can lower the hurdle for 6G research, which will accelerate the initial verification of key 6G technologies. The network features deep integration of communications and AI, which is an important direction in the development of communications technology, according to the report.

Professor Zhang Ping, head of the university’s research team, stressed at the conference that the integration of AI and communication will accelerate the emergence of new business models within the digital economy. AI will improve the perception and semantic understanding of communication, while 6G will expand the application scope of AI to all sectors.

The 6G race has begun

Commercial 6G services are expected around 2030, but work on 6G standards is already underway and could be completed this decade. 6G networks will be able to use higher frequencies than 5G networks and offer much higher capacity and lower latency. The associated technology market is expected to enable significant improvements in imaging, presence technology and location awareness. Combined with AI, 6G infrastructure will be able to determine the best location for data processing, including decisions about data storage, processing and sharing.

Several countries around the world are joining the race to develop the next generation of communications technology. China aims to launch the first 6G services by 2030, with 6G standards expected to be ready next year. Japan plans to develop key technologies for 6G by 2025 and provide communications services “beyond 5G” by 2030, working with companies such as NTT Docomo and Sony.

In February, the United States and nine other countries outlined six common principles for 6G networks, including protecting national security, efficient use of spectrum and protecting privacy.