By Peter Brown
A bipartisan bill was introduced to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a 6G Task Force to produce a report on how to enable the next generation of wireless communications technology.
Called the Future Uses of Technology Upholding Reliable and Enhanced (FUTURE) Networks Act, the task force would be comprised of industry, government and public interest organizations. Specifically, the FUTURE Network Act would report on:
Use cases for 6G technology
Potential threats such as supply chain or cybersecurity
Interagency coordination and promoting deployment
The bill was introduced by Reps Tim Walberg (R-MI), Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Rick Allen (R-GA).
“Our economic and national security depend on the United States remaining the leader in wireless technology,” Walberg said. “I am proud to partner with Representatives Matsui and Allen to introduce this vital legislation which brings stakeholders together to continue to strengthen our networks to protect them from cyberattacks, improve wireless security, and promote innovation. The FUTURE Networks Act will better prepare us for the future deployment of next generation 6G networks.”
Why it matters
6G is likely years away as 5G is just ramping up as the dominant cellular technology and future rollouts of millimeter wave are still underway. However, much like 5G promised giant leaps in bandwidth, download speeds and lower latency over 4G, 6G will offer even greater technological advancements.
The race to 6G has already started as companies worldwide are gearing up with similar research investments including, most recently, Korean tech giants Samsung and KT Corp., which signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly research and develop improved 6G signal quality including:
Exploration of AI integration to improve network stability and performance.
Development of multi-antenna technologies to expand 6G frequency bands.
With tensions already high with Chinese communications equipment maker Huawei, the world will look to other sources for its equipment for 6G. Meaning R&D like the 6G Task Force may be necessary and the sooner the group gets started the quicker standards and players can be identified.
“To keep America at the vanguard of wireless communications technology, we need to be proactive in our preparations for the next generation of networks,” Matsui said. “6G holds the potential to revolutionize connectivity, support smart transport, and supercharge augmented reality applications for education, healthcare, and manufacturing.”
Matsui added that the race to 6G is not just about faster phones but about national security, economic security and America’s standing on the international stage.
To contact the author of this article, email PBrown@globalspec.com
