6G is already being talked about in the media and other channels. However, although 6G and its features are often mentioned, they are still being researched and haven’t been standardized yet. This work is still in a very early stage at 3GPP; the first 6G specifications aren’t expected to be ready until close to the end of the current decade. The current target is 2029. And implementation and the availability of 6G products for commercial use will come even later.

Instead, potential users should focus on 5G technology and take advantage of what is available now instead of waiting for 6G. This technology is already mature and can be implemented. This way, end users can gain experience with industrial 5G technology, which will make upgrading to 6G later less challenging. What’s more, the flexibility of the 5G architecture makes it possible to accommodate new functional requirements and to evolve seamlessly beyond 5G. In other words, the path for migrating from 5G to 6G technology will be ensured. There won’t be a need to update all of the equipment for compatibility with future generations. Furthermore, 5G technology is undergoing an evolution itself – with new features and enhancements continuously being added to 5G standards in upcoming releases. The future migration to 6G therefore won’t be a single giant leap but many small, manageable steps when the time comes.