China Mobile makes a history: Launches 6G test satellite

It will take years before 6G even becomes the talk of the town, however, that hasn’t stopped stakeholders from making their early steps. In the latest development, China’s leading telecom operator, China Mobile has tested 6G by launching a test satellite.

The move seeks to plant a vital early lead in the next-generation communication. The 6G test satellite that the company has launched will orbit 500 kilometers above the earth and will be expected to transmit data at high speed at lower latency. The carrier collaborated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences Innovation Academy for Microsatellites for this milestone leap.

The telco hasn’t given its 6G satellite a name but China Daily has declared that it’s the world’s first-ever low-earth orbit test satellite for 6G wireless communication. The same company has also launched a 5G satellite in the part.   

China has remained at the forefront of making strides in next-generation wireless cellular communication in recent years. For e.g., China has already demonstrated 100 Gbps transmission speed in 6G and the country has made it clear that it will work simultaneously on both 5G and 6G.

China’s 6G test satellite is made domestically

The recent 6G test satellite is developed domestically. China is home to global telco gear firms such as Huawei so it’s not a surprise that the country’s service providers are capable of remarkable feats. The satellite supports in-orbit software and easy deployment of the core network. Likewise, it’s also backed by automated operation.

China Mobile says that all the features enable the satellite to operate the core network efficiently.  

The company has deployed the satellite at just 500 kilometers away. That makes it easy for the satellite to deliver faster data transmission at low latency, a true hallmark of next-gen cellular standards. Besides, the hardware is able to incorporate future space and ground networks that can unleash further innovation at the company. The satellite system allows signals to penetrate areas unreachable on the earth with ground infrastructures.

China Mobile plans to test more in-orbit tests but hasn’t revealed the timeframe.

6G is expected to become commercial by around 2028. Currently, states, developers, and telcos are exploring pushing the boundary for it further.

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