Apple's Work on 6G Connectivity Already Expanding

Apple's work on implementing 6G cellular connectivity on its devices appears to be ramping up, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

iphone 5g mmwave
In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained that Apple is increasingly turning its attention to 6G, even amid its widely reported difficulties developing a custom 5G cellular modem.

In 2021, the first highly specific Apple job listings with reference to 6G emerged. Now, a further job position for a Modem Systems Software Architect has appeared on the company's website that seeks an individual to "coordinate the design and modeling of a 6G reference architecture." Gurman says the listing is part of the company's growing push to hire engineers to develop 6G cellular technologies.

Carriers are already working on next-generation 6G networking. In late 2020, Apple joined the Next G Alliance, an industry group set up by the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) that seeks to "advance North American mobile technology leadership in 6G and beyond over the next decade, while building on the long-term evolution of 5G."

Some analysts say the technology could enable speeds more than 100 times faster than 5G, but the extent of its enhanced performance in the real world is yet to be seen. 6G is not expected to emerge on consumer devices until around 2030.

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Top Rated Comments

MrRom92 Avatar
24 months ago
This is it! This is when they activate all the vaccine chips!
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PsykX Avatar
24 months ago
"100 times faster than 5G"...
in other words...
"100 times faster than 4G" ?
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hieranonymous Avatar
24 months ago
It’s possible Apple’s realized its timeline for in-house 5G modems is still far-enough off that it makes more sense at this point just to shift those engineering resources over to 6G development. It’s amazing what a stranglehold Qualcomm has over the 5G space. It’s still too critical of a component for Apple not to want to bring it in-house, but it’s clearly a difficult technology to develop.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
4odomi Avatar
24 months ago

('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/12/04/apple-work-on-6g-expanding/')

Apple's work on implementing 6G cellular connectivity on its devices appears to be ramping up, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.



In the latest edition ('https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2023-12-03/apple-to-drop-goldman-sachs-for-apple-card-chase-bank-is-ideal-replacement-lppjbe7z?') of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained that Apple is increasingly turning its attention to 6G, even amid its widely reported difficulties ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/11/16/apple-in-house-5g-modem-delays/') developing a custom 5G cellular modem ('https://www.macrumors.com/guide/apple-5g-modem/').

In 2021, the first highly specific Apple job listings ('https://www.macrumors.com/2021/02/18/apple-seeking-engineers-work-on-6g/') with reference to 6G emerged. Now, a further job position for a Modem Systems Software Architect ('https://jobs.apple.com/en-us/details/200520108/modem-systems-software-architect?team=SFTWR') has appeared on the company's website that seeks an individual to "coordinate the design and modeling of a 6G reference architecture." Gurman says the listing is part of the company's growing push to hire engineers to develop 6G cellular technologies.

Carriers are already working on next-generation 6G networking ('https://www.macrumors.com/2020/09/21/att-says-5g-iphones-might-not-be-massive-event/'). In late 2020, Apple joined ('https://www.macrumors.com/2020/11/13/apple-joins-6g-industry-group/') the Next G Alliance, an industry group set up by the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) that seeks to "advance North American mobile technology leadership in 6G and beyond over the next decade, while building on the long-term evolution of 5G."

Some analysts say the technology could enable speeds more than 100 times faster than 5G, but the extent of its enhanced performance in the real world is yet to be seen. 6G is not expected to emerge on consumer devices until around 2030.

Article Link: Apple's Work on 6G Connectivity Already Expanding ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/12/04/apple-work-on-6g-expanding/')
If 5G is anything to go by, 6G is nothing to shout about ?
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
4odomi Avatar
24 months ago

It’d be great if they could just get the iPhone 15 Pro Max Wi-Fi to work with iOS 17 first.
My partner has had hers for 30 days, never had an issue with wi-fi!
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jimbonatius Avatar
24 months ago
By the time I get to experience 5G, 6G will probably be out, lol.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)