6G Market: Current Analysis and Forecast (2023-2030)

6G, or the sixth generation of wireless technology, is a future technical standard for wireless communications that is currently in development by numerous companies, research institutes, and telecommunication organizations. It is the planned successor to 5G and is expected to provide significantly higher throughput, data flow, and energy efficiency compared to its predecessors. 6G networks will be able to use higher frequencies than 5G networks, enabling faster data transfer and supporting more devices and markets.

The 6G Market is expected to grow at a strong CAGR of around 35.27% owing to the rapid adoption of advanced technology and high demand for high-speed and low-latency internet. Furthermore, with the huge number of connected devices, Internet of Things (IoT) applications, and data-intensive technologies like virtual reality, augmented reality, and autonomous vehicles, there is a need for faster and more responsive networks. 6G aims to provide ultra-high-speed connectivity with speeds exceeding 100 Gbps, and extremely low latency, enabling real-time interaction and seamless user experience. Moreover, industries are undergoing rapid digital transformations, and the integration of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, edge computing, and robotics is becoming ubiquitous. 6G is expected to revolutionize industries by offering enhanced connectivity, massive data handling capabilities, and distributed computing, enabling more efficient and autonomous operations in various sectors, including healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, and agriculture. For instance, on February 2023, Bosch announced its partnership with Nokia for the development of industrial IoT solutions based on 6G cellular networks.

Based on deployment devices, the market is segmented into smartphones, tablets, wearables, internet of Things (IoT) devices, and others. The smartphone is going to be the biggest beneficiary of the 6G technology. Given the potential to provide ultra-high speed and low latency connectivity, 6G technology may support advanced functions like augmented reality, virtual reality, and holographic communication. These technologies can greatly enhance user experience across multiple devices, but smartphones will be the first to witness an evolutionary change, as their widespread penetration and constant demand for faster and more reliable internet connectivity, make them the primary beneficiary of the 6G technology.

Based on application, the market is segmented into multi-sensory extended reality, network-enabled robotic and autonomous systems, blockchain, distributed sensing and communication, and other applications. The multi-sensory extended reality (XR) is considered to be the potential dominant for the 6G application. With multi-sensory XR, users can experience virtual, augmented, and mixed reality with enhanced sensory inputs, including haptic feedback, smell, taste, and touch. This technology could revolutionize multiple sectors such as gaming, entertainment, education, healthcare, and remote collaboration. The ability to immerse oneself in virtual environments with heightened sensory experiences could have significant market potential. Additionally, network-enabled robotic and autonomous systems are expected to play a crucial role in various industries, including manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, agriculture, and disaster response. They have the potential to enhance efficiency, productivity, and safety by enabling advanced automation and remote control of robots and autonomous vehicles. This application could have substantial real-life applications and benefits for humanity, particularly in areas such as labor-intensive industries, healthcare support, and hazardous environments.

Based on the vertical, the market is segmented into agriculture, automotive, education and entertainment, healthcare, manufacturing, public safety, and other verticals. The manufacturing industry is likely to utilize 6G technology extensively due to its specific requirements for connectivity, efficiency, and automation. Furthermore, 6G promises ultra-reliable and low-latency communication, enabling real-time control and monitoring of manufacturing processes. This will allow for greater precision and responsiveness in industrial automation, robotics, and remote operations. The reduced latency, in the order of milliseconds, is essential to ensuring that critical systems operate seamlessly and without any delay. Additionally, manufacturing processes often involve numerous interconnected devices and systems, such as sensors, robotics, and smart machinery. 6G's mMTC capability will enable seamless communication between a massive number of devices, facilitating efficient coordination and data exchange. This will enhance the overall productivity, accuracy, and reliability of manufacturing operations. Moreover, the adoption of 6G technology in the manufacturing industry will witness several significant advancements and benefits such as smart factories, where manufacturers will be able to create fully connected and intelligent factories where machines, systems, and humans interact seamlessly. This will result in streamlined workflows, optimized production lines, and improved resource allocation. Furthermore, 6G's connectivity and data exchange capabilities will enable enhanced visibility and traceability in the supply chain. Real-time tracking of goods and components, combined with AI-powered analytics, will optimize inventory management, reduce waste, and improve logistics efficiency.

For a better understanding of the market adoption of 6G, the market is analyzed based on its worldwide presence in countries such as North America (The U.S., Canada, and the Rest of North America), Europe (Germany, The U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of Asia-Pacific), Rest of World. In recent years, Asia Pacific is emerged as the fastest-growing region for 6G in the market. In the ongoing race to develop advanced telecommunications technology, China has made substantial strides in establishing itself as a frontrunner in the development of 6G. Fueled by the unwavering support of the Chinese government and the dominance of Chinese companies in the 6G race, the nation is steadily outpacing the United States and other countries in this crucial technological arena. Furthermore, Chinese companies have emerged as leaders in the development of 6G technology, further pushing China to the forefront of this race. Major telecommunications giants like Huawei, ZTE, and Xiaomi are actively engaged in research and development efforts, investing heavily in advancing 6G networks. These companies possess the necessary expertise, the scale of operations, and the extensive resources to undertake large-scale experiments and propel the technology forward. For instance, in January 2022, Purple Mountain Laboratories, a Chinese government-supported lab announced that it had achieved a 6G level wireless transmission up to the speed of 206.25 gigabits per second, and claimed that this has been achieved for the first time anywhere in the world.

Some of the major players operating in the market include: AT&T; Broadcom; Cisco Systems, Inc.; Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson; Google; Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.; Nokia; NTT DOCOMO; Orange; and Verizon