A new study from Juniper Research reckons there will be 290 million 6G users worldwide by 2030 – just a year after it’s supposed to launch. But avoid getting too excited because there are many problems to sort out before we can enjoy blazing-fast internet on our mobiles.
The main issue is that 6G will use very high-frequency waves, which can carry more data but also get easily blocked by things like buildings, trees, and even rain. Initial 6G signals could be rubbish because operators must invest in new technology.
The study says they need to use RIS (Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces), which are smart mirrors that can bend and reflect 6G waves to avoid obstacles. They also need to use AI to monitor and adjust these surfaces in real-time, or they could make things worse.
The report’s author, Alex Webb, said: “Initial 6G coverage will happen in the busiest places to serve as many people as possible. So RIS technology will be crucial to provide a decent 6G service to ordinary folks and big businesses in the first few years of operation.”
But even if they manage to sort out the signal issue, there’s another problem: the cost. 6G phones and gadgets will be expensive, and users must upgrade their plans to access the new network. This will mean that unless users are millionaires, take-up will be slow.
