6G Market

[206 Pages Report] The 6G Market is estimated to be worth USD 3.96 billion in 2030 and is projected to reach USD 68.69 billion by 2035, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 76.9% during the same period. As cyber threats advance, 6G networks are being built much more securely to protect data and communications from hackers. Unlike all previous networks, this one will rely on AI to see and stop the threats in real-time, ensuring that sensitive information is never compromised. It will introduce quantum-resistant encryption to protect against future threats from powerful quantum computers. In addition, 6G will secure all network layers, providing end-to-end protection. This enhanced security becomes essential in healthcare, finance, and defense industries to ensure safe and fast communication and protect essential data and systems. Advanced protection will make 6G the first choice of industries requiring the highest level of security.

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Impact of AI/GEN AI on 6G Market

So, in the near term, the key driver will be generative AI, leaving a deep impact on the development and enhancement of the capabilities of next-generation networks. Advanced AI models will be used to develop content and optimize it to enable Gen AI to play a strong role in managing complexity within 6G networks. It will enable real-time dynamic optimization of the network based on data and predictive analytics to predict the occurrence of problems before they affect users. It will also advance applications, such as generating personalized content and interaction in virtual and augmented reality environments, making enriching user experiences in immersive media possible. So, Gen AI will auto and speed the generation of network configurations and protocols, thus saving much time and labor during deployment and maintenance. Moreover, Gen AI models and simulates different network conditions, so their testing and refining 6G technologies are ready for large-scale implementation by ensuring their robustness and efficiency. In doing so, synergies between Gen AI and 6G will improve operational efficiency, make innovative yet agile services possible in transforming the next wave of digital transformation, and create a new benchmark of connectivity and user interaction.

Progression From 4G to 6G

6G networks are expected to perform better than 5G and satisfy emerging services and applications. In the 6G era, human activity will dramatically expand from the ground to air, space, and deep sea. Based on the 5G air-ground networks, 6G will further integrate underwater (or sea) networks to form a large-dimensional air-air-ground-underwater network. Furthermore, 6G networks will be zero-touch and intent-based to significantly improve the efficiency of network operation and maintenance and reduce operational expenditures. AI will serve as the major innovative technique for 6G.

6G Market Trends

Driver:  Deliverance of extreme performance and highly advanced use cases

6G will remove the distance barrier to interaction and deliver a full telepresence experience through immersive communication. To support highly advanced use cases such as remote autonomous robotics, 6G will need extreme radio access performance in an adaptable fashion. It can support remote surgeries, telemedicine, and real-time monitoring in healthcare. 6G will enable new immersive depths of interaction in the media & entertainment sector. Ubiquitous 6G will enable enterprises to develop products and services, enhancing productivity and helping economies to grow. 6G can achieve extreme performance from a combination of factors, including new spectrum bands and the evolution toward new radio technologies, including holographic beamforming, advanced duplexing technologies, and advanced massive MIMO technology serving as a key enabler of 6G's fast data rates and wide coverage.

Restraint: Limited spectrum availability

6G networks require access to a wide range of frequencies, including higher frequency bands offering higher data rates, where the bands may be limited or allocated for other purposes. The allocation and spectrum availability can be challenging and vary across regions and countries, potentially slowing down the 6G deployment.

Opportunity: Emergence of detailed sensing and high-precision positioning technologies offered by 6G networks

Accurate spatial mapping using detailed sensing and high-precision positioning technologies will serve as one of the key pillars of the future 6G system. 6G networks will be designed with the integrated capability to gain accurate spatial knowledge of physical surroundings. Integrating sensing with other technologies, such as digital twins and high-precision localization, will offer multiple use cases, such as environment modeling, road traffic detection, or alarm detection systems. Other use cases identified by Huawei include high-accuracy localization and tracking, such as automatic docking, multi-robot collaboration and even AI-based semantic localization with context awareness and dynamic address resolution; simultaneous imaging, mapping, and localization, such as autonomous vehicles, robots and AGVs with the capability to perform well in crowded spaces and even see around corners; augmented human senses, which can help make the invisible visible; and gesture and activity recognition, that could be key to unlocking future human-computer interfaces. Achieving fully immersive sensing and joint network communication will require significant technological advances.

Challenge: Environmental concerns

The energy consumption of network infrastructure is a concern in developing 6G. As the number of connected devices and data traffic increases, the energy requirements of network equipment and data centers also rise. It will be necessary to focus on energy-efficient designs, sustainable practices, and renewable sources, such as eWaste, and recycling obsolete network equipment to minimize the environmental impact of 6G.

Ecosystem of 6G Market

The prominent players in the 6G market include AT&T (US), Jio (India), and China Telecom (China). These companies have been operating in the market for several years and possess a diversified product portfolio, state-of-the-art technologies, and a well-established geographic footprint. These companies are rigorously working towards the research & development of 6G technology.

Holographic communications segment to hold largest market size during forecast period

The ultra-high data transfer rates and latency as low as 6G will unlock holography potential in so many sectors. Holographic verticals will employ 3D real-time visualization in healthcare, education, manufacturing, and retail, among other sectors. For example, surgeons would have procedures carried out under real-time holograms for surgical operations or when in training, while students with life-size holographic models work in virtual classes. In manufacturing, designers could look at complex machinery for designs and troubleshooting. Retail would allow consumers to try on clothes or visualize a product in their home using holograms. A larger scale of holographic society is envisioned to be such that holographic interactions will be as common as video calls today. It could have holographic meetings or social gatherings where people interact as if they were there. Holographic concerts and sports events will entertain us in a new way with deep immersion. At the same time, cities might refresh public spaces with holograms to support real-time 3D navigation, public safety alerts, and interactive advertising. It is a promising secession of holography, again boosted by 6G, promising to reimagine our lives, work environments, and connecting patterns.

Consumer segment to witness highest growth rate during forecast period

6G promises a radical improvement in the daily consumer experience through even faster, more reliable, and seamless connections. Streaming 8K videos, outstandingly real virtual reality gaming, and zero-delay video calls on live video links will be easy. It will feel even more intuitive and interactive with augmented reality when digital and physical worlds blend in real-time with ultra-low latency and higher speeds coming from 6G. All this will become fluid, from daily routine with smart and responsive devices and applications to even greater connections from the IoT in homes working together even better. Aside from 6G, this will help advance one's health and wellness by tracking one's health in real-time and making tailored wellness recommendations available. Overall, it will make 6G a better means by which people connect with each other more intimately, entertain themselves, and look after their health and wellness in a far more engaging and responsive digital way.

Asia Pacific to have largest market size during forecast period

In July 2024, China created the world's first 6G field test network, which integrated communication and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Zhang Ping from the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications led this breakthrough, proving that 46 and 5G technologies can support 6G transmission capabilities, improving capacity, coverage, and efficiency. India stepped up the race for 6G by setting up the Bharat 6G Alliance by the DoT, launched in July 2023. It would unify all players in industry, academia, and research organizations to push ahead with the Bharat 6G mission. The Japanese government also allocated USD 450 million in fiscal year 2023 to support 6G research, spearheaded by the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology. This funding aimed to stimulate private investment and accelerate research efforts, with 6G rollouts anticipated by 2030 and testbeds expected by 2026. South Korea has emerged as a key player in developing 6G technologies, with the government taking a proactive approach through the K-Network 2030 strategy announced in February 2023.

Market Players:

The major players in the 6G market are AT&T (US), NTT DoCoMo (Japan), Orange (France), Jio (India), Bharti Airtel (India), Vodafone Group (UK), SK Telecom (South Korea), Deutsche Telekom (Germany), Verizon Communications (US), China Mobile (China), Telefonica S.A (Spain), China Unicom (China), Rakuten Mobile (Japan) KT Corporation (South Korea), Singtel (Singapore), and KDDI Corporation (Japan). These players have adopted various growth strategies, such as partnerships, agreements & collaborations, product launches & enhancements, and acquisitions to expand their 6G market footprint.

Based on usage-scenario:

• Further-Enhanced Mobile Broadband (FeMBB)
• Extremely Reliable, Low Latency Communications (ERLLC)
• Long-Distance and High-Mobility Communications (LDHMC)
• Ultra-Massive Machine Type Communications (umMTC)
• Extremely Low-Power Communications (ELPC)

Based on enteprise application:

• Holographic Communications
• Tactile/ Haptic Internet
• Fully Automated Driving
• Industry 5.0
• Internet of Bio-nano-things
• Other Enterprise Applications (Deep-sea Sightseeing and Space Travel)

By Communication Infrastructure:

• Cellular
• Broadband
• Fixed

By End-User:

• Consumers
• Enterprises
  • Manufacturing
  • Healthcare & life sciences
  • Automotive
  • Media & entertainment
  • Aerospace & defense
  • Other enterprises (retail & eCommerce, energy & utilities, education) 

By Region:

• North America
  • United States (US)
  • Canada
• Europe
  • United Kingdom (UK)
  • Germany
  • France
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Middle East & Africa
  • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)
  • United Arab Emirates (UAE)
  • Rest of the Middle East & Africa
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America

Recent Developments of 6G Market

• In August 2024, KT and LG partnered to research 6G technologies and standards, focusing on wideband full-duplex communication.
• In August 2024, TaiTech and Jio Platform Limited collaborated, aiming for advancements in telecommunications technology, specifically in the 5G, 5G advanced, and 6G segment.
• In May 2024, NTT Corporation and NTT DOCOMO developed the In-network Service Acceleration Platform (ISAP) for 6G, offloading computational tasks from mobile devices to the network. By integrating computing resources directly into the network infrastructure, ISAP reduces latency and enhances performance, enabling more seamless, efficient experiences for applications, such as AR, smart cities, and wearable technology. This innovation transforms mobile connectivity, merging network and computational power to meet the growing demands of 6G.
• In May 2024, Rakuten Mobile and Stage X partnered to leverage equipment from Rakuten Symphony and share market knowledge with Rakuten to work together on the 6G rollout.
• In February 2024, SK Telecom collaborated with Intel on a novel network core technology that modifies existing cloud-native principles. This technology incorporates AI to reduce network latency for 6G networks significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

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