- Published: September 2024
- Pages: 395
- Tables: 53
- Figures: 46
As 5G networks continue to roll out globally, researchers and industry leaders are already setting their sights on the next generation: 6G. The 6G market is poised for massive growth over the next decade, driven by the need for ultra-fast and high-capacity wireless connectivity. 6G networks represent the next frontier in hyperconnected mobility, building on the capabilities of 5G to deliver radical increases in speed, reliability and scale. This technological leap is expected to enable transformative applications across sectors from transportation to healthcare while supporting sustainable development. However, realizing the full potential of 6G requires overcoming key challenges around technical complexity, standardization, infrastructure costs and use case validation. This comprehensive market report delves into the future of 6G technology, exploring its potential applications, key players, and the revolutionary changes it promises to bring to various sectors. Report contents include:
- Evolution of mobile networks from the first generation (1G) to the current fifth generation (5G). This historical perspective provides crucial context for understanding the leap that 6G represents. While 5G has introduced unprecedented speeds and low latency, 6G aims to push these boundaries even further, promising terabit-per-second data rates, microsecond latency, and ubiquitous connectivity.
- 6G: Beyond the Limitations of 5G: Despite the significant advancements brought by 5G, certain limitations have become apparent. The report identifies these constraints and explains how 6G aims to address them. Key benefits of 6G are explored, including its potential to enable truly immersive augmented and virtual reality experiences, autonomous systems, and the Internet of Everything (IoE).
- Advanced Materials and Hardware Developments crucial for realizing 6G networks. This includes an in-depth look at
- Semiconductor technologies for 6G, including CMOS, SiGe, GaAs, GaN, and InP
- Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) and metamaterials
- Low-loss materials and dielectrics
- Thermal management solutions
- Graphene and other 2D materials
- The 6G Market: Current State and Future Outlook
- Market challenges and bottlenecks.
- Global 6G Landscape: Key Markets and Players An analysis of key geographical markets for 6G is provided, focusing on North America, Asia Pacific, and Europe. The report identifies the main market players, including telecommunications companies, equipment manufacturers, and technology providers. It also outlines significant 6G projects and government initiatives worldwide, offering insights into the global race for 6G leadership.
- 6G Hardware Roadmap: A detailed 6G hardware roadmap is presented, outlining the expected timeline for key technological developments.
- 6G Networks and Technologies-technical aspects of 6G networks, including:
- 6G spectrum utilization
- Space-Air-Ground Integrated Networks (SAGIN)
- Artificial Intelligence-powered 6G networks
- Terahertz (THz) communications
- Visible Light Communication
- Quantum communication technologies
- Internet of Things (IoT) and Edge Computing in 6G-how 6G will enable:
- Smart cities and smart environments
- Enhanced healthcare systems
- Advanced smart grids
- Intelligent transportation networks
- Next-generation smart factories and farming
- Beyond Communications: Sensing and Imaging Applications:
- THz sensing for various industrial and security applications
- Advanced imaging capabilities for medical diagnostics and industrial inspection
- Energy Efficiency and Sustainability in 6G:
- Zero Energy Devices (ZED) for 6G
- Energy harvesting technologies
- Ultra-low power electronics. These technologies are crucial for ensuring that the increased capabilities of 6G do not come at the cost of unsustainable energy consumption.
- Global Market Forecasts for 6G (2025-2045) including:
- Overall market revenues
- Base station deployments
- 6G dielectric and thermal materials market
- Low-loss material market
- Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) tiles market
- Company Profiles. Comprehensive profiles of key companies driving 6G innovation, including:
- Major telecommunications companies (Huawei, Nokia, Ericsson, Samsung)
- Tech giants (Apple, Google, NVIDIA)
- Specialized 6G technology providers (Metawave, Pivotal Commware)
- Materials and component manufacturers (NXP Semiconductors, Solvay)
This extensive market report on 6G technology offers a comprehensive overview of the next generation of wireless communication. From the underlying technologies and materials to market forecasts and key players, it provides valuable insights for industry professionals, policymakers, investors, and anyone interested in the future of telecommunications. As 6G moves from concept to reality over the coming years, the insights provided in this report will be crucial for understanding and navigating this revolutionary technology. With its potential to transform industries, enable new applications, and reshape our digital landscape, 6G represents not just the next step in wireless evolution, but a leap into a new era of connectivity and innovation.
Download table of contents (PDF)
1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 19
- 1.1 From 1G to 6G 21
- 1.2 Evolution from 5G Networks 25
- 1.2.1 Limitations with 5G 27
- 1.2.2 Benefits of 6G 28
- 1.2.3 Advanced materials in 6G 31
- 1.2.4 Recent hardware developments 33
- 1.3 The 6G Market in 2024 35
- 1.4 Market outlook for 6G 37
- 1.4.1 Proliferation in Consumer Technology 37
- 1.4.2 Industrial and Enterprise Transformation 38
- 1.4.3 Economic Competitiveness 39
- 1.4.4 Sustainability 40
- 1.5 Market drivers and trends 41
- 1.6 Market challenges and bottlenecks 43
- 1.7 Applications 46
- 1.7.1 Connected Autonomous Vehicle Systems 46
- 1.7.2 Next Generation Industrial Automation 47
- 1.7.3 Healthcare Solutions 48
- 1.7.4 Immersive Extended Reality Experiences 49
- 1.8 Key geographical markets for 6G 50
- 1.8.1 North America 50
- 1.8.2 Asia Pacific 51
- 1.8.3 Europe 53
- 1.9 Main market players 55
- 1.10 6G projects, by country 58
- 1.11 Global 6G government initiatives 60
- 1.12 6G hardware roadmap 62
- 1.13 SWOT analysis 65
- 1.14 Sustainability in 6G 67
2 INTRODUCTION 68
- 2.1 6G spectrum 68
- 2.2 Applications of 6G 72
- 2.3 6G devices and infrastructure 73
- 2.4 6G services 75
- 2.5 6G base stations 76
- 2.6 Satellite networks for 6G 78
- 2.7 6G drones 80
- 2.8 Wireless powered IoE for 6G 82
- 2.9 Key technologies for THz communication 84
- 2.10 6G networks 87
- 2.10.1 SAGIN - Space-air-ground integrated networks 87
- 2.10.2 Underwater 88
- 2.10.3 Key Technologies 90
- 2.10.4 AI-powered 6G networks 90
- 2.11 Global architecture concepts for 6G networks 91
- 2.11.1 Cell-Free Massive MIMO 92
- 2.11.2 Integrated Space and Terrestrial Networks 93
- 2.11.3 AI-Defined Networking 95
- 2.11.4 Energy Harvesting Grids 96
- 2.11.5 Visible Light Communication 97
- 2.11.6 Quantum Backbones 99
- 2.11.7 Internet of Bio-Nano Things 99
- 2.11.8 Terahertz Mesh Networks 101
- 2.11.9 AI-Optimized Topologies 101
- 2.11.10 THz wireless 102
- 2.11.11 Holographic beamforming 104
- 2.11.12 Intelligent reflecting surfaces 106
- 2.11.13 TeraHertz amplification 108
- 2.11.14 Visible light sensing 108
- 2.11.15 Quantum communication 109
- 2.11.16 Bio-computing networks 110
- 2.11.17 Blockchain 111
- 2.12 6G Radio system 113
- 2.12.1 Overview 113
- 2.12.1.1 Millimeter-wave (mmWave) communications 114
- 2.12.1.2 THz communications 115
- 2.12.1.3 Optical wireless communications 116
- 2.12.1.3.1 Visible light communication (VLC) 116
- 2.12.1.3.2 Light-Fidelity (LiFi) 117
- 2.12.1.3.3 Optical camera communication (OCC) 118
- 2.12.1.3.4 LiDAR technology 118
- 2.12.1.3.5 Free space optical (FSO) communication 120
- 2.12.2 Bandwidth and Modulation 120
- 2.12.3 Power consumption 122
- 2.12.1 Overview 113
- 2.13 6G Non-terrestrial networks 124
- 2.13.1 Overview 124
- 2.13.2 Commercial activities 126
- 2.14 Internet of things (IoT) 127
- 2.14.1 Smart cities 129
- 2.14.2 Smart radio environments 131
- 2.14.3 Smart healthcare 133
- 2.14.4 Smart grid 136
- 2.14.5 Smart transportation 138
- 2.14.6 Smart factories 139
- 2.14.7 Smart farming 141
- 2.15 Edge computing 142
- 2.16 Artificial intelligence and machine learning 145
3 MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGIES 147
- 3.1 Phase array antennas 148
- 3.1.1 Overview 148
- 3.1.2 Antenna types 150
- 3.2 Phase array modules 152
- 3.2.1 Overview 152
- 3.2.2 Commercial and proof-of-concepts 153
- 3.3 Packaging technologies 155
- 3.3.1 Overview 155
- 3.3.2 Antenna packages 157
- 3.4 Inorganic compounds 159
- 3.4.1 Overview 159
- 3.4.2 Materials 160
- 3.5 Elements 162
- 3.5.1 Overview 162
- 3.5.2 Materials 164
- 3.6 Organic compounds 166
- 3.6.1 Overview 166
- 3.6.2 Materials 167
- 3.7 Semiconductor technologies for 6G 170
- 3.7.1 CMOS 171
- 3.7.1.1 CMOS technology - Bulk vs SOI 172
- 3.7.1.2 RF CMOS technology 172
- 3.7.1.3 CMOS and hybrid lll-V+CMOS approaches sub-THz 173
- 3.7.1.4 6G CMOS design 175
- 3.7.1.5 PD-SOI CMOS and SiGe BiCMOS for 6G 176
- 3.7.2 SiGe 177
- 3.7.2.1 RF SiGe technology 179
- 3.7.3 GaAs and GaN 179
- 3.7.4 InP 181
- 3.7.5 Si vs III-V semiconductors 183
- 3.7.5.1 Key Differences 183
- 3.7.6 Semiconductor technology choices for THz RF 184
- 3.7.7 Key THz Technologies 186
- 3.7.8 Challenges 188
- 3.7.1 CMOS 171
- 3.8 Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) 188
- 3.8.1 6G Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces and metamaterials 188
- 3.8.2 Overview 191
- 3.8.3 Applications in 6G 193
- 3.8.4 Transparent IRS and RIS 194
- 3.8.5 Simultaneous transmissive and reflective STAR RIS 195
- 3.8.6 Semi-passive and active RIS materials and components 197
- 3.8.7 Hardware 199
- 3.8.8 Metamaterials and Metasurfaces 203
- 3.8.9 Liquid crystal polymers (LCP) for RIS 204
- 3.8.10 Beam management 205
- 3.8.11 Companies 207
- 3.8.12 SWOT analysis 209
- 3.9 Metamaterials 211
- 3.9.1 Overview 212
- 3.9.2 Applications 214
- 3.9.2.1 Reconfigurable antennas 215
- 3.9.2.2 Wireless sensing 215
- 3.9.2.3 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth 216
- 3.9.2.4 5G and 6G Metasurfaces for Wireless Communications 218
- 3.9.2.5 Hypersurfaces 220
- 3.9.2.6 Active material patterning 221
- 3.9.2.7 Optical ENX metamaterials 221
- 3.9.2.8 Metamaterials for RIS 221
- 3.9.2.9 Liquid crystal polymers 222
- 3.9.3 Companies 225
- 3.9.4 SWOT analysis 227
- 3.10 Low-loss materials 229
- 3.10.1 Overview 229
- 3.10.2 6G low-loss materials 233
- 3.10.3 Companies 238
- 3.10.4 SWOT analysis 239
- 3.11 6G dielectrics 241
- 3.11.1 Overview 241
- 3.11.2 Companies 246
- 3.11.3 SWOT analysis 248
- 3.12 Cell-Free Massive MIMO 248
- 3.12.1 Overview 248
- 3.12.2 Cellular mMIMO, network mMIMO, and cell-free mMIMO 250
- 3.13 Fiber optics 251
- 3.13.1 Overview 251
- 3.13.2 Materials and applications in 6G 252
- 3.14 Graphene and 2D materials 254
- 3.14.1 Overview 254
- 3.14.2 Applications 255
- 3.14.2.1 Supercapacitors, LiC and pseudocapacitors 255
- 3.14.2.2 Graphene transistors 257
- 3.14.2.3 Graphene THz device structures 258
- 3.14.3 Companies 258
- 3.15 Thermal management 259
- 3.15.1 Overview 259
- 3.15.2 Thermal materials and structures for 6G 261
- 3.15.2.1 Thermal management materials 262
- 3.15.2.1.1 Advanced Ceramics 262
- 3.15.2.1.2 Diamond-based Materials 262
- 3.15.2.1.3 Graphene and Carbon Nanotubes 263
- 3.15.2.1.4 Phase Change Materials (PCMs) 264
- 3.15.2.1.5 Advanced Polymers 264
- 3.15.2.1.6 Metal Matrix Composites 265
- 3.15.2.1.7 Two-Dimensional Materials 265
- 3.15.2.1.8 Nanofluid Coolants 266
- 3.15.2.1.9 Thermal metamaterials 267
- 3.15.2.1.10 Hydrogels 267
- 3.15.2.1.11 Aerogels 268
- 3.15.2.1.12 Ionogels 268
- 3.15.2.1.13 Pyrolytic graphite 269
- 3.15.2.2 Thermoelectrics 270
- 3.15.2.1 Thermal management materials 262
- 3.15.3 Companies 274
- 3.15.4 SWOT analysis 277
- 3.16 Smart EM devices 279
- 3.16.1 Overview 279
- 3.17 Photoactive materials 281
- 3.17.1 Overview 281
- 3.17.2 Applications in 6G 282
- 3.18 Silicon carbide 283
- 3.18.1 Overview 284
- 3.18.2 Applications in 6G 285
- 3.19 Phase-Change Materials 286
- 3.19.1 Overview 286
- 3.19.2 Applications in 6G 288
- 3.20 Vanadium dioxide 289
- 3.20.1 Overview 289
- 3.20.2 Applications in 6G 290
- 3.21 Micro- mechanics, MEMS and microfluidics 292
- 3.21.1 Overview 292
- 3.21.2 Applications in 6G 293
- 3.22 Beyond communications markets and applications 295
- 3.22.1 THz Sensing 295
- 3.22.2 THz Imaging 298
- 3.23 Solid state cooling 300
- 3.23.1 Overview 300
- 3.23.2 Companies 303
- 3.24 Zero Energy Devices 307
- 3.24.1 Overview 307
- 3.24.2 6G ZED materials and technologies 308
- 3.24.2.1 Metamaterials 310
- 3.24.2.2 IRS 311
- 3.24.2.3 RIS 313
- 3.24.2.4 Simultaneous wireless and information transfer SWIPT 313
- 3.24.2.5 Ambient backscatter communications AmBC 315
- 3.24.2.6 Energy harvesting for 6G 315
- 3.24.2.6.1 Photovoltaic 315
- 3.24.2.6.2 Ambient RF 316
- 3.24.2.6.3 Electrodynamic 316
- 3.24.2.6.4 Piezoelectric 317
- 3.24.2.6.5 Triboelectric 318
- 3.24.2.6.6 Thermoelectric 319
- 3.24.2.6.7 Pyroelectric 320
- 3.24.2.6.8 Thermal hydrovoltaic 321
- 3.24.2.6.9 Biofuel cells 321
- 3.24.2.7 Ultra-low power electronics 322
- 3.24.2.7.1 Supercapacitors 324
- 3.24.2.7.2 Hybrid approaches 325
- 3.24.2.7.3 Pseudocapacitors 326
4 GLOBAL MARKET FORECASTS FOR 6G, 2025-2045 326
- 4.1 Market revenues 327
- 4.2 Base stations 328
- 4.3 6G dielectric and thermal materials 332
- 4.4 Low loss material 333
- 4.5 Thermal materials 334
- 4.6 RIS tiles 335
- 4.6.1 Pricing forecasts 335
- 4.6.2 By square meter 337
- 4.6.3 By revenues 339
5 COMPANY PROFILES 342 (43 company profiles)
6 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 388
7 REFERENCES 390
List of Tables
- Table 1. Technology benchmarkmarking of phase antenna array in 28, 90, and 140 GHz. 19
- Table 2. Evolution of 1G to 5G mobile wireless communications 22
- Table 3. Key differences from 5G. 24
- Table 4. Limitations with 5G. 26
- Table 5. Advanced materials in 6G. 30
- Table 6. Market drivers and trends in 6G. 41
- Table 7. Market challenges and bottlenecks in 6G. 43
- Table 8. Main market players in 6G. 55
- Table 9. Global 6G government initiatives. 59
- Table 10. Comparison of spectrum bands for 6G. 69
- Table 11. 6G applications. 72
- Table 12. 6G devices and infrastructure. 73
- Table 13. Key technologies enabling THz communication. 84
- Table 14. Comparison between conventional MIMO and massive MIMO. 92
- Table 15. Comparison between electronic THz design and communication systems. 102
- Table 16. Key THz Technologies. 120
- Table 17. Antenna types in 6G. 150
- Table 18. Inorganic compounds in 6G communications. 159
- Table 19. Elements in 6G communications. 163
- Table 20. Organic compounds in 6G communications. 166
- Table 21. State of the art RF transistors performance. 169
- Table 22. Comparison of silicon (Si) based semiconductors versus III-V compound semiconductors for applications in 6G communications. 182
- Table 23. semiconductor technology choice for THz RF. 183
- Table 24. key THz Technologies. 186
- Table 25. Transistor performance metrics of different semiconductor technologies. 186
- Table 26. Power amplifier benchmarks by bands. 187
- Table 27. Challenges for semiconductor for THz communications, 187
- Table 28. RIS operation phases. 190
- Table 29. Reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) for 6G. 192
- Table 30. RIS prototypes. 192
- Table 31. RIS vs traditional reflecting array antennas, 200
- Table 32. Companies developing RIS technology. 206
- Table 33. Applications of metamaterials in 6G. 213
- Table 34. Unmet need, metamaterial solution and markets. 216
- Table 35. Companies developing metamaterials and metasurfaces for 6G. 224
- Table 36. 6G low-loss materials. 233
- Table 37. Low-loss material choices from 5G to 6G. 234
- Table 38. Companies developing 6G low-loss materials. 237
- Table 39. Market players in 6G dielectrics. 246
- Table 40. Benefits and challenges of cell-free mMIMO. 248
- Table 41. Market players in graphene and 2D materials for 6G. 258
- Table 42. Thermal materials and structures for 6G. 267
- Table 43. Companies developing 6G thermal management materials. 274
- Table 44. photoactive materials being investigated for applications around 1 THz for future 6G wireless systems. 280
- Table 45. Market players in solid-state cooling for 6G. 303
- Table 46. Global market revenue for 6G communications, by market, 2024-2045 (billions USD). 326
- Table 47. 5G base stations market forecast 2024-2045 (billions USD). 328
- Table 48. 6G base stations market forecast 2024-2045 (billions USD). 329
- Table 49. Global market forecast for 6G dielectric and thermal materials 2024-2045 (Millions USD). 332
- Table 50. Low loss materials for 6G global market, 2024-2045 (by million square meters). 333
- Table 51. Global 5G vs 6G thermal interface material market 2024-2045 ($ billion). 334
- Table 52. Forecasts for RIS tiles, 2024-2044 (billion sq. meter). 337
- Table 53. Forecasts for RIS tiles, 2024-2045 (billion USD). 338
List of Figures
- Figure 1. 140 GHz THz prototype from Samsung and UCSB 19
- Figure 2. Evolution of Mobile Networks: From 1G to 6G. 21
- Figure 3. Radio coverage of 6G. 37
- Figure 4. 6G hardware roadmap. 62
- Figure 5. 6G communications SWOT analysis. 65
- Figure 6. 6G spectrum. 68
- Figure 7. 6G world in 2030. 73
- Figure 8. Key services and roadmap for 6G. 75
- Figure 9. 6G Self-powered ultra-massive UM-MIMO base station design. 76
- Figure 10. 6G-SAGIN architecture. 87
- Figure 11. 6G System Architecture Design. 91
- Figure 12. Cell-Free Massive MIMO systems. 92
- Figure 13. Space-Terrestrial Integrated Network. 93
- Figure 14. Visible Light Communication in 6G. 96
- Figure 15. Internet of Bio-Nano Things. 100
- Figure 16. An illustration of electromagnetic spectrum. 113
- Figure 17. Network platforms with MEC. 143
- Figure 18. Phased array antennas for 6G. 147
- Figure 19. 16-channel 140 GHz phased-array module (middle), dual-channel 140 GHz RFICs (left), 128-element antenna array (right). 152
- Figure 20. Novel antenna-in-package (AiP) for mmWave systems. 156
- Figure 21. Stack-up AiP module on a system board. 157
- Figure 22. RF Si interposer with integrated InP and CMOS devices and antenna array in a package. 174
- Figure 23. GaAs based amplifier. 179
- Figure 24. InP power amplifiers. 180
- Figure 25. Reconfigurable intelligent reflecting surfaces aided mobile. 191
- Figure 26. RIS Architecture. 200
- Figure 27. SWOT analysis for RIS in 6G communications. 208
- Figure 28. Wireless charging technology prototype. 216
- Figure 29. Flat-panel satellite antenna (top) and antenna mounted on a vehicle (bottom). 217
- Figure 30. META Transparent Window Film. 219
- Figure 31. SWOT analysis for metamaterials in 6G. 226
- Figure 32. SWOT analysis for low-loss materials for 6G. 239
- Figure 33. SWOT analysis for 6G dielectrics. 247
- Figure 34. SWOT analysis for thermal management materials and structures for 6G. 277
- Figure 35. Global market revenue for 6G communications, by market, 2024-2045 (billions USD). 327
- Figure 36. Global market revenue for 6G communications. 328
- Figure 37. Global market forecast for 6G dielectric and thermal materials 2024-2045 (Millions USD). 332
- Figure 38. Low loss materials for 6G global market, 2024-2045 (by million square meters). 333
- Figure 39. Global 5G vs 6G thermal interface material market 2024-2045 ($ billion). 334
- Figure 40. Pricing forecasts 2024-2044, per square meter ($). 335
- Figure 41. Forecasts for RIS tiles, 2024-2045 (billion sq. meter). 337
- Figure 42. Forecasts for RIS tiles, 2024-2045 (billion USD). 339
- Figure 43. metaAIR. 364
- Figure 44.Millimeter-wave mobile network utilizing a radio-over-fiber system 369
- Figure 45. Left) Image of beamforming using phased-array wireless device. (Right) Comparison of previously reported transmission with beamforming wireless devices and this achievement.. 371
- Figure 46. Radi-cool metamaterial film. 379
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