Ericsson says it has carried out the world’s first 6G over-the-air (OTA) trials after the technology was used to control AI-powered robots and conduct real-time video streaming.
6G is not expected to be made widely available until the end of the decade at the earliest, but operators are already assessing technologies that can deliver faster data speeds and much greater network capacity than 5G, as well as ultra-low latency. 6G is also likely to improve energy efficiency and reliability, which could help to power smart cities, advanced healthcare and next-generation industrial automation.
Ericsson said the technology used in its trial was “pre-standard”, as the final standards and technical specifications will need to be confirmed by an industry body known as 3GPP.
In last week’s 6G OTA trial, an AI-equipped robot was powered using what Ericsson called an “instant, reliable connection” that allowed for real‑time control and video streaming. The firm said that 6G networks, when deployed,...