China officially ushers in 6G era, targeting global technological leadership

KATHMANDU: China has formally stepped into the 6G era, marking a decisive milestone in the global telecommunications race with a state-led program that integrates research, industry, and policy to redefine connectivity. The IMT-2030 (6G) Promotion Group has confirmed that 6G technical standardization will begin in June 2025, with initial specifications expected by March 2029 and full commercial deployment targeted for 2030.

The development, embedded in China’s 14th Five-Year Plan and the “Made in China 2025” strategy, reflects Beijing’s ambition to secure digital sovereignty and lead next-generation communications standards. China began 6G research in 2019, with contributions from more than 37 universities, research institutes, and major technology companies, focusing on terahertz frequency bands, ultra-massive MIMO systems, AI-driven network intelligence, sensing-communication fusion, and space-ground integrated networks.

Field trials have demonstrated China’s technical progress. Early cloud-native prototype systems achieved speeds of up to 8 Gbps for single users, while laser-based satellite communication reached 100 Gbps, surpassing even SpaceX’s Starlink in test scenarios. In a separate trial, China Mobile recorded speeds approaching 280 Gbps, capable of downloading a 50 GB file in 1.4 seconds. The 6G architecture integrates terrestrial infrastructure with satellite constellations to deliver seamless coverage across oceans, deserts, mountains, and low-altitude airspace.

Artificial intelligence will be a core enabler of 6G, embedded directly into network architecture to autonomously manage spectrum, optimize signal routing, and predict congestion before it occurs.

AI will fuse real-time sensing data with communication signals, enabling ultra-precise positioning, holographic video transmission, and autonomous device coordination. Network nodes will be self-configuring and self-healing, using AI-based algorithms to detect and isolate faults instantly while reallocating resources to maintain uninterrupted service.

Machine learning models running at the network edge will process massive volumes of data locally, reducing latency and enabling mission-critical applications such as autonomous vehicles, remote robotic surgery, and industrial automation. This AI-driven integration will allow 6G to act not just as a communication system but as an intelligent, context-aware digital fabric that can adapt dynamically to user demands and environmental conditions.

Chinese authorities have already submitted three candidate 6G standards to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in a bid to shape the global rulebook, echoing the country’s 5G standard-setting success. Strategic applications extend beyond consumer mobile use, encompassing smart cities, industrial automation, autonomous vehicles, holographic communications, remote surgery, and ultra-low-latency robotics. Military developments are also emerging, including a photonic 6G-based electronic warfare system capable of neutralizing advanced radar arrays within seconds and coordinating communication across hundreds of platforms simultaneously.

While the United States, European Union, Japan, and South Korea have intensified their 6G research, analysts note that China’s early start, integrated industrial-government partnership, and rapid prototyping give it a competitive advantage. The country’s 6G roadmap positions it not just as an adopter but as a principal architect of the global next-generation communications ecosystem.

With projected speeds exceeding 100 Gbps, latency below one millisecond, and AI-infused network intelligence capable of real-time decision-making, China’s 6G program signals a technological leap that could reshape industries, geopolitics, and the future of connectivity.