In Japan, a 6G technology demonstration achieved wireless data transfer speeds of 100 Gigabits per second, 500 times faster than current 5G smartphones on average. The data was transferred 328 feet using the 100 and 300 GHz range.
The research was conducted by NTT, DOCOMO, NEC, and Fujitsu. The four companies have been jointly conducting R&D on sub-terahertz devices since 2021 in anticipation of 6G.
6G rwireless networks are envisioned supporting diverse applications ranging from ultra-HD video streaming to real-time control in autonomous vehicles, as well as increasing communication demands.
The companies said in a press release that high-capacity wireless communication is expected to be achieved by "exploiting the abundant bandwidth available in the sub-terahertz band from 100 GHz to 300 GHz."
However, compared to 28 GHz and other millimeter bands used in 5G, the much higher frequencies of the sub-terahertz band will require new wireless devices that are now being developed from scratch.
"To be successful, this effort will need to overcome several key challenges, such as determining the specific performance requirements of wireless devices operating in the sub-terahertz band, and then actually developing such devices."
The four companies say they will continue to conduct extensive R&D into sub-terahertz telecommunications.