The development of 5G is moving swiftly and most countries and regions already have plans for 5G. Some top manufacturers already have a team looking at what the next-generation network (6G) would offer. One thing is certain, the U.S. will race China to the finish line this time. Recall that China has already sent a satellite into space to test 6G signals. This network (6G) should be 100 to 500 times faster than 5G. However, do not expect it any time soon, it is almost a decade away.
The Chinese were the earliest to release 5G devices. The likes of Google and Apple only recently released 5G devices. Nevertheless, they do not hope to be back-benchers again. The two tech giants (Google and Apple) recently joined the “the Next G Alliance”. This is a North American trade group that will hold its first conference next week. ATIS (Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions), a North American trade association leads “the Next G Alliance”.
Gizchina News of the week
Apple and Google join other manufacturing giants on “the Next G Alliance”
According to reports. ATIS has previously worked on secure supply chains, hearing aids, robocalls, and more. The major target of this group is to “advance North American mobile technology leadership in 6G and beyond over the next decade while building on the long-term evolution of 5G”. Apple and Google are not alone in this group. Other major manufacturers include Charter Communications, Cisco, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Intel, Keysight Technologies, LG Electronics, Mavenir, MITRE, and VMware.
In a publication early this year, the Next G Alliance wrote, “While the world is exploring opportunities that will light the path to 6G, the US must take timely and critical action to ensure unquestioned leadership in 6G innovation and development”. The CEO of ATIS, Susan Miller adds, “Old models of leadership are not going to play in this new future in light of the geopolitical landscape. If the US is really going to assert its leadership, it’s going to have to act in a new way”.
With the current political situation in the U.S., the situation may change. The change here does not necessarily mean a positive change for China. Irrespective of who rules the U.S., they would want the U.S. to be ahead of China in terms of major technology. We will have to keep our fingers crossed and watch as events unfold.
