6G Is Taking Shape — but Nobody’s Quite Ready to Pay for It
The first 6G specs are expected by 2028 with launches around 2029, but carriers still recouping 5G costs see little consumer demand — and analysts forecast Asia will dominate early adoption.
6G is moving from research labs toward formal standards — but the industry is openly unsure who will pay for it.
The short version
- 3GPP is expected to publish the first 6G technical specifications by 2028, with launches around 2029.
- Analysts forecast 2.9 billion 6G connections by 2035, and roughly 290 million by the end of 2030.
- Asia (especially China) is projected to account for about 75% of connections by 2030; the US and South Korea lead early.
- Carriers are still recouping 5G spending and see limited consumer demand for another upgrade.
- Emerging pieces include reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, satellite integration (SAGIN) and joint communications-and-sensing.
The catch
One analyst frames 6G as an “unwanted distraction” for telcos. Early use cases are likely enterprise and military before consumers, with events such as the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics floated as testbeds.
Summary by Nerd News Network. Read the full article at The Register via the links above and below.