Rita Deutschbein Managing Editor

May 12, 2025, 6:04 am | Read time: 4 minutes

Germany is still busy expanding 5G to make the fast mobile standard available nationwide. However, 6G is already on the horizon as its successor. The abbreviation stands for the sixth generation of mobile technology and is expected to be available around 2030. Compared to 5G, 6G will offer significantly higher data rates–over 100 times faster–enable extremely low latency, and aim for nearly seamless network coverage. TECHBOOK reveals what you should know about 6G now.

What Makes 6G So Special?

6G stands out in several ways from its predecessors–especially 5G–and is expected to be not only faster but also smarter and more comprehensively networked.

A key feature is the extensive use of artificial intelligence (AI) in both the construction and operation of networks. AI systems are expected to automatically manage how radio resources are distributed, adjust antenna signals in real time, and continuously improve the network. It will be capable of learning and self-repairing.

Additionally, 6G uses new frequency ranges in the so-called terahertz range, well above 100 gigahertz. Optical wireless technologies are also employed. Both enable even faster data transmissions.

Another major advancement: 6G will not only transmit data but also incorporate sensor information. This means that things like location data or environmental measurements can be transmitted in real time. This creates digital replicas–so-called twins–of machines, vehicles, or even entire factories. This technology is particularly useful for industrial plants, telemedicine, or autonomous traffic.

By combining communication, sensing, data processing, and AI, the next mobile technology becomes a key technology for many areas of life in the future–as described by the Digital Association Bitkom.

International Developments and Challenges

Countries worldwide, such as China, South Korea, Japan, and the U.S., are working intensively on 6G development. In Europe, twelve major telecommunications companies, including Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, and Orange, are urging the EU to release the entire upper 6 GHz band for mobile networks. According to “O2 Business,” they warn that without this measure, Europe could fall behind in the global 6G competition. While the U.S. and China are already using corresponding frequency ranges for 6G, a decision in Europe is still pending.

More on the topic

Project by Nokia Why the Moon is Now Getting a Mobile Network

Techbook Basics How Do I Know if My Smartphone Is Operating on a 5G Network?

Germany’s Role in 6G Development

Germany is investing significantly in research. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is funding several research hubs with a total of 700 million euros. The funded projects include Open6GHub, 6GEM, 6G-RIC, and 6G-life, which are working on developing energy-efficient, secure, and high-performance communication systems. A focus is on integrating artificial intelligence to optimize networks and develop new applications in areas such as Industry 4.0, mobility, and healthcare.

Professor Hans Schotten, coordinator of the Open6GHub, emphasizes in an interview with “Welt” the importance of comprehensive network coverage: “6G must not be a mobile network only for city dwellers; we must definitely avoid that. We have the explicit goal that 6G is a mobile network for everyone, anytime, and everywhere.” The challenge lies in making 6G comprehensively available in rural areas as well.

When Will 6G Arrive in Europe?

The introduction of 6G in Europe is expected around 2030. By then, ongoing research projects should establish the technological foundations and help shape international standards. Germany and Europe have the opportunity to take a leading role in the next mobile era through strong collaboration and early research.