China Advances to Second-Phase 6G Trials After Technical Breakthroughs

China has officially moved into the second phase of 6G technical trials after successfully completing its first research stage. Officials from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced the milestone in Beijing this week, confirming a reserve of more than 300 key technologies has been established. This shift signifies a critical move from theoretical research toward system-level prototyping and real-world scenario verification. The country is leveraging its massive 5G infrastructure, which currently includes 4.84 million base stations and over 1.2 billion users, to serve as a testbed. This existing network provides a robust foundation for experimenting with the next generation of wireless technology. According to official reports from WAM, 5G and gigabit optical networks are already integrated into nearly 94 percent of all major national economic categories.

6G promises a quantum leap over its predecessor by utilizing Terahertz frequencies to achieve terabit-level data speeds. Unlike 5G, the new architecture is designed to be AI-native, allowing the network to self-optimize and manage resources autonomously using machine learning. New capabilities like Integrated Sensing and Communication will also allow the network to perceive physical objects, facilitating immersive cloud technologies and high-fidelity holographic communication.

Despite these technical leaps, several significant obstacles remain before a full public release can occur. Terahertz waves have an extremely short range and are easily blocked by physical objects like buildings, requiring a much denser deployment of base stations. Technical hurdles such as high energy consumption and the ongoing need for equipment miniaturization are the primary focus of the newly launched trial phase.

The global telecommunications industry currently anticipates a commercial launch for 6G networks around 2030. China plans to continue its technical solution trials through 2026, with system networking and pre-commercial equipment testing slated to begin in late 2027. This timeline follows the strategic goals set by international standards bodies to ensure future global interoperability and security.