5G worldwide users at 1.2 billion, industry moving towards 5.5G, 6G

SHANGHAI: As 5G continues to make waves with over 1.2 billion users worldwide, the communications industry is already moving towards 5.5 G and 6G.

According to industry players, 5.5G technologies are expected to improve network capabilities 10-fold and create 100 times more business opportunities for operators.

At this year’s Mobile World Congress (MWC), which kicked off here yesterday, major communication players are showcasing the next generation of technologies.

Among them is Huawei, which showcases four major features of 5.5G -- 10 Gbit/s downlink, 1 Gbit/s uplink, 100 billion connections, and native AI.

"It (5G) is, therefore, changing the way we work and live, creating tremendous economic, industrial, and social value,” said Huawei’s chief financial officer and rotating chairperson, Sabrina Meng Wanzhou, adding that 5.5G is the next step forward.

The Shenzhen-based company, showing its products and technologies under the theme of "GUIDE to the Intelligent World”, is also exploring the five connectivity areas expected to go mainstream with 5.5G -- connectivity for people, things, vehicles, industries, and homes.

According to company officials, Huawei has already started helping a number of operators around the world begin commercial verification of 5.5G.

The 5.5G industry is anticipated to grow quickly as the first release of 5.5G standards is expected to be frozen in the first half of 2024, and related technologies have already been extensively verified.

About 300 global exhibitors are taking part in the three-day MWC held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre and organised by Global System for Mobile Communications Alliance (GSMA).

According to Chinese media reports, the country is projected to hit one billion 5G users by 2030, and research and testing are already underway to accelerate its technologies towards 5.5G and 6G.

China currently has more than 2.8 million 5G base stations as of May this year.

At the opening of MWC Wednesday, Zhao Zhiguo, chief engineer at China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said the country would continue to promote the research and development of 6G as well as enhance the application of 5G in more industries. - Bernama