Looking ahead to 6G: 2030 is coming

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Jon Yates

Solution Design Team Leader , Bristol, UK contact form+44 1454 66 3026

With just five years to go until the launch of 6G, AtkinsRéalis Jon Yates asks if organisations are ready for the technology’s transformative power.

Organisations across the UK continue to adapt to 5G's transformative impact on assets, infrastructure, and services, yet the next generation of wireless technology is already on the horizon in 2030.

In 2020, 5G opened the way to a wide range of applications for asset operators –industrial automation, smart energy grids, robotics, massive/critical IoT, fixed wireless access, just to name a few. And yet, with only five years to go until 6G launches commercially in 2030, it is already important for leaders to look ahead, to understand just what changes to expect.

6G is more than just a tweak to 5G. It marks a shift in how we approach wireless communications. Whilst being more energy efficient, sub-millisecond latency will enable real-time applications across vast distances. The technology is touted to feature native integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) capabilities, alongside enhanced coverage through intelligent surface technology and satellite integration. Perhaps most impressively, 6G is expected to deliver a theoretical speed reaching one terabit per second.

In 2025, we’ll see the 6G Standards process begin globally, requiring broad engagement to deliver interoperability between regions up to 2030, when commercial applications of 6G are likely to be unlocked. During the next five years, key players will consider requirements, technology specs, security, and limitations. The decisions they make will affect us all, so leaders need to consider the steps they will take now, to keep in touch with the process.

What does this mean for you?

What could the 6G shift mean for real-world organisational goalsetting? There are a number of aspects where we could see transformative change:

Digital Twin evolution

6G's ultra-low latency and massive bandwidth will enable more complex, more instantaneous digital twins of complex physical systems, buildings and infrastructure networks. These models will provide visibility into operational performance, predictive maintenance, and usage patterns across interconnected systems. Organisations will be able to simulate scenarios and optimisations in virtual environments before physical implementation, enabling data-driven decision making while reducing risks and costs.

Integrated programme delivery

The anticipated high-performance capabilities of 6G networks could enable enhanced coordination between Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, equipment, and project management systems. The improved connectivity and reduced latency may allow for better synchronisation of supply chains, workforce management, and site operations. Asset owners, particularly network operators, will see clearer, lower capex during design, and reductions in opex later.

Smart and sustainable operations, energy management, network utilisation and personnel deployment to automatically adapt to changing conditions. This will create opportunities for new service models and operational efficiencies, and do so against a backdrop of sustainability alignment, with 6G enabling zero-energy devices to thrive. Organisations can leverage these features to create truly smart, green networks that automatically optimise their environmental impact while reducing operational costs.

Why act now?

Although 6G deployment may seem far off, we learned from the 5G rollout that organisations which wait to prepare risk falling behind. 6G will require fundamental changes in infrastructure, skills, and operational models.

Organisations will need to assess their current network architecture and identify areas requiring upgrades or complete overhauls. The convergence of AI, ML, and communications will require new expertise, making it essential for leaders to start building these capabilities now. Technology integration poses immediate concerns, as leaders must navigate complex integration with existing systems and address potential compatibility issues with legacy infrastructure. Understanding potential 6G applications within your asset network will inform strategic planning and investment decisions.

Security presents another critical dimension of risk. The increased network complexity of 6G systems creates new vectors for attack that need to be defended. The prospect of quantum computing poses threats to current encryption methods, while enhanced data collection capabilities raise important privacy concerns that must be addressed proactively.

Operational continuity presents its own set of challenges. Organisations will need to maintain service continuity during the transition, while simultaneously managing staff training and adaptation. This often necessitates comprehensive business process redesign to accommodate new technological capabilities and requirements.

Technical architectures are crucial for long-term success. Organisations should design flexible systems that can accommodate future changes, implementing software-defined networking and focusing on modular components. This approach not only manages current transition risks but also positions leaders for future technological evolution.

Risks can be effectively managed through a carefully structured approach, beginning with pilot projects in non-critical areas, and gradually scaling successful implementations while maintaining parallel systems during the transition. This measured approach allows for learning and adaptation, without compromising critical operations.

Planning for a seamless transition

The transition to 6G represents a significant opportunity for asset operators to enhance connectivity, sustainability, and efficiency. Strategists responding to the future opportunity would be wise to begin planning to navigate the transition as we gain more clarity of scope, to manage risk and identify where they can source the deep expertise needed. Through thinking ahead, working out where they are and where they want to be, and evaluating and upgrading their infrastructure, organisations will ensure they can look forward to a seamless transition from 5G to 6G.