6G: The Next Frontier

TL;DR

This paper advocates for the development of 6G networks by analyzing 5G limitations and predicting future services like holograms, ambient sensing, and advanced communication technologies such as THz and VLC.

Contribution

It provides a gap analysis of 5G and proposes a vision for 6G, highlighting new services and technological innovations needed for future networks.

Findings

Identifies limitations of 5G and the need for 6G.

Predicts future services including holograms and ambient sensing.

Suggests technological advancements like THz and VLC.

Abstract

The current development of 5G networks represents a breakthrough in the design of communication networks, for its ability to provide a single platform enabling a variety of different services, from enhanced mobile broadband communications, automated driving, Internet-of-Things, with its huge number of connected devices, etc. Nevertheless, looking at the current development of technologies and new services, it is already possible to envision the need to move beyond 5G with a new architecture incorporating new services and technologies. The goal of this paper is to motivate the need to move to a sixth generation (6G) of mobile communication networks, starting from a gap analysis of 5G, and predicting a new synthesis of near future services, like hologram interfaces, ambient sensing intelligence, a pervasive introduction of artificial intelligence and the incorporation of technologies, like TeraHertz (THz) or Visible Light Communications (VLC), 3-dimensional coverage.