The UK is certainly a tech hub, being one of the leading nations when it comes to being tech forward. There are high expectations that come with this, but when it comes to 6G in particular, experts do not predict it coming for another decade.
Eddie Ball, a radio frequency engineering expert from the University of Sheffield, believes that the infrastructure currently in place in telecoms do not quite have the ability to support 6G as of yet. As it stands, tech is still adjusting to the latest 5G that began its roll out in 2019, as well as the demands that come with.
How Does The UK Compare Globally In 6G Readiness?
Reports show that the UK is 4th in the global race towards how ready each nation is for 6G.
Leading the global charge towards 6G, South Korea boasts the highest readiness score, a direct result of its aggressive advancement in 5G technologies and high internet usage across its population.
Following closely are India and the USA, both of which have many patents as is, as well as their advancing internet technologies that can support such infrastructures.
Scott Dylan, Founder, NexaTech Ventures shares his perspective:
“6G is both a technological aspiration and a significant infrastructure challenge. While it’s true that 6G promises exponentially faster speeds, lower latency, and the ability to power advanced applications such as holographic communication and AI-driven systems, the timeline for its reality in the UK remains uncertain.
“Although research and initial developments are already underway, the existing UK telecoms infrastructure will require substantial investment and upgrades. This includes addressing issues like power efficiency, spectrum allocation, and the physical infrastructure needed to support higher frequencies and data rates.
“One area that could particularly benefit is the UK rail network, where unlike other nations, general mobile data coverage is currently patchy at best. Reliable, high-speed connectivity on trains could transform passenger experience, improve operational efficiencies, and ultimately benefit the economy by enhancing productivity during travel. For 6G to address this, however, we need significant advancements in network infrastructure and coverage across the country.
“For 6G to become a reality within the next decade, the UK will need not only significant advancements in technology but also a collaborative effort between government, private sector, and academia. International research leadership and the creation of homegrown high-tech companies will be key in driving this forward.
“Given these hurdles, I believe that while 6G may start appearing in trials and niche applications by the end of this decade, widespread adoption is likely further off.”
What Is Preventing 6G From A Technical Perspective?
Ball pointed out that the current power efficiency of radio systems is insufficient to support the high data rates 6G would require. This inefficiency could lead to faster battery drain in mobile devices, which would be a major deal breaker when it comes to user experience and how well devices would function.
The UK is investing heavily in overcoming this, with the government even allocating funds towards research and development in the industry.
