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Cited by 1,790Advanced Wireless Communication TechnologiesTelecommunications and Broadcasting TechnologiesSoftware-Defined Networks and 5G

What should 6G be?

Open access
Dang, Shuping, Amin, Osama, Shihada, Basem, Alouini, Mohamed-Slim·2020·Nature Electronics
DOI 10.1038/s41928-019-0355-6

Published version of a preprint

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Abstract

As the standardization of fifth generation (5G) communications has been completed, and the 5G network will be commercially launched in 2020, the research visioning and planning of sixth generation (6G) communications are being initiated. 6G communications are expected to be the next focus in wireless communication and networking and aim to provide remarkable communication services to meet the future demands in the 2030s. We believe that the human-centric mobile communications will still be the most important application of 6G and 6G network should be human-centric. Following this rationale, high security, secrecy, and privacy are the all-important features of 6G, which shall be paid special attention from the wireless research community. To promote the research and the human-centric design ideology for 6G communications, we imagine in this article a comprehensive and systematic framework of 6G with five slices, key features, and enabling technologies. Furthermore, we briefly discuss the issues of 6G beyond communication technologies. Overall, the article aims to provide an envisioned picture of 6G and serve as a research guideline in the post-5G era.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

The paper argues that 6G should be human-centric, with high security, secrecy, and privacy as key features, and proposes a systematic framework of application scenarios, key features, and enabling technologies. It anticipates 6G around 2030–2040 with up to 100 Gbps, 10 THz, tactile services, and discusses trade-offs and non-technical barriers.

Key findings

  • The authors define five anticipated 6G application scenarios: Enhanced Mobile Broadband Plus (eMBB-Plus), Big Communications (BigCom), Secure Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications (SURLLC), Three-Dimensional Integrated Communications (3D-InteCom), and Unconventional Data Communications (UCDC).
  • SURLLC is described as requiring reliability higher than 99.9999999% (“Seven Sigma”) and latency less than 0.1 ms, with an additional security demand.
  • Table II lists supposed 6G characteristics as period 2030–2040, maximum rate 100 Gbps, maximum frequency 10 THz, service level “Tactile,” architecture “Intelligent surface,” core network “IoE,” and highlight “Security, secrecy, privacy.”
  • The paper identifies key trade-offs for 6G, including privacy vs. intelligence, affordability vs. intelligence, customisation vs. intelligence, security vs. spectral efficiency, and spectral efficiency vs. energy efficiency.

Methods

  • This is a Perspective/vision paper, not an empirical study; it provides a qualitative framework and research guide for post-5G/6G communications.
  • No dataset or sample is used; the work synthesizes background on 1G–5G evolution, current 6G research progress, country-wise 6G initiatives, and the authors’ own appraisal of candidate technologies.
  • The main analysis is conceptual: it anticipates and subdivides application scenarios, defines key features, discusses enabling communication technologies, compares 5G and 6G qualitatively, and examines issues beyond communication technologies.

Limitations

  • Stated: the paper describes itself as a speculative study of 6G (“What Might 6G Be”) and notes that the definition and embodiment of UCDC is still awaiting further exploration.
  • Stated: as an engineering system, 6G cannot satisfy all wished features without investing more resources because of trade-offs among key features.
  • Evident from the text: there is no empirical validation, quantitative modeling, or primary data; the 6G features, scenarios, and timelines are forward-looking projections rather than demonstrated results.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1038/s41928-019-0355-6

Cites

88 of 88 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 48 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Premisecitation
    § High Security, Secrecy, and Privacy · p. 7

    Classic encryption based on RSA algorithms is being challenged by increasingly powerful computers.

    “To protect data security, the classic encryption based on RSA algorithms is being challenged by increasingly powerful computers [57].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [57] Chen, L. et al. Report on Post-Quantum Cryptography https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.8105 (NIST, 2016). source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Interpretationreasoning
    § High-Quality Communication Services on Board · p. 4

    Communication services on board are still unsatisfied in most cases nowadays.

    “Despite the effort and endeavour of researchers in the 4G and 5G eras, it is undeniable that communication services on board are still unsatisfied in most cases nowadays.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Premisecitation
    § Accurate Indoor Positioning · p. 4

    Indoor positioning is still far from maturity because of the complex indoor electromagnetic propagation environment.

    “However, indoor positioning is still far from maturity, because of the complex indoor electromagnetic propagation environment [35].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [35] Oh, J., Thiel, M. & Sarabandi, K. Wave-propagation management in indoor environments using micro-radio-repeater systems. IEEE Antenn. Propag. Mag. 56, 76–88 (2014). source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Premisecitation
    § Low Energy Consumption and Long Battery Life · p. 7

    Computing tasks of a user device can be off-loaded to smart base stations with reliable power supply or pervasive smart radio space to lower energy consumption.

    “To lower energy consumption, the computing tasks of a user device can be off-loaded to smart base stations (BSs) with reliable power supply or pervasive smart radio space [63].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [63] Van Huynh, N. et al. Ambient backscatter communications: a contemporary survey. IEEE Commun. Surv. Tut. 20, 2889–2922 (2018). source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Premisecitation
    § Low Energy Consumption and Long Battery Life · p. 7

    Cooperative relay communications and network densification help reduce the transmit power of mobile devices by reducing the per-hop signal propagation distance.

    “Cooperative relay communications and network densification would also help to reduce the transmit power of mobile device by reducing the per-hop signal propagation distance [64], [65].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [64] Madan, R., Mehta, N. B., Molisch, A. F. & Zhang, J. Energy-efficient cooperative relaying over fading channels with simple relay selection. IEEE Trans. Wireless Commun. 7, 3013–3025 (2008). source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [65] Yunas, S. F., Valkama, M. & Niemelä, J. Spectral and energy efficiency of ultra-dense networks under different deployment strategies. IEEE Commun. Mag. 53, 90–100 (2015). source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 47
  • May combine two claims. 24

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Premisenone given
    § KEY FEATURES AND ENABLING COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES OF 6G · p. 6

    In 5G networks, traditional encryption algorithms based on RSA public-key cryptosystems are still in use to provide transmission security and secrecy.

    “In 5G networks, traditional encryption algorithms based on the Rivest-ShamirAdleman (RSA) public-key cryptosystems are still in use to provide transmission security and secrecy.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation
    § Summary · p. 6

    The SURLLC in 6G is a joint upgrade of the URLLC and the mMTC in 5G, with higher requirements of reliability (higher than 99.9999999%) and latency (less than 0.1 ms), as well as an additional demand on security.

    “The SURLLC in 6G is a joint upgrade of the URLLC and the mMTC in 5G, but with higher requirements of reliability (higher than 99.9999999%, i.e., 'Seven Sigma' from the viewpoints of quality control and process improvement) and latency (less than 0.1 ms) [25], as well as an additional demand on security.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [25] Mahmood, N. H. et al. Six key enablers for machine type communication in 6G. Preprint at https://arxiv.org/abs/1903.05406 (2019).

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given
    § Holographic Communications · p. 5

    6G is expected to be a conversion point from traditional video conferencing to a virtual in-person meeting.

    “6G is expected to be a conversion point from the traditional video conferencing to a virtual in-person meeting.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given
    § KEY FEATURES AND ENABLING COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES OF 6G · p. 7

    Improvements on affordability and customisation in 6G rely on novel networking architectures, promotion and operational strategies on the market.

    “The improvements on affordability and customisation rely on novel networking architectures, promotion and operational strategies on the market.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation
    § Human Bond Communications · p. 5

    It is possible to diagnose diseases, detect emotions, collect biological features and interact with the human body in a remote way using human bond communication.

    “As a result, it is possible to diagnose diseases, detect emotions, collect biological features and interact with the human body in a remote way.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [52] Prasad, R. Human bond communication. Wireless Pers. Commun. 87, 619–627 (2016). source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [53] Khalid, M., Amin, O., Ahmed, S., Shihada, B. & Alouini, M.-S. Communication through breath: aerosol transmission. IEEE Commun. Mag. 57, 33–39 (2019). source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § High-Quality Communication Services on Board · p. 4

    The communication services provided on board are challenged by high mobility, Doppler shift, frequent hand-over, lack of coverage, and so on.

    “The communication services provided on board are challenging by the high mobility, Doppler shift, frequent hand-over, lack of coverage, and so on [38].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [38] Li, X., Hong, S., Chakravarthy, V. D., Temple, M. & Wu, Z. Intercarrier interference immune single carrier OFDM via magnitude-keyed modulation for high speed aerial vehicle communication. IEEE Trans. Commun. 61, 658–668 (2013). source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Summary · p. 5

    We anticipate five application scenarios supported by 6G communications: eMBB-Plus, BigCom, SURLLC, 3D-InteCom, UCDC.

    “Summarised from the above application scenarios, we anticipate five application scenarios supported by 6G communications: Enhanced Mobile Broadband Plus (eMBB-Plus), Big Communications (BigCom), Secure Ultra-Reliable LowLatency Communications (SURLLC), Three-Dimensional Integrated Communications (3D-InteCom), Unconventional Data Communications (UCDC).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § High Security, Secrecy, and Privacy · p. 7

    Security, secrecy, and privacy issues of wireless communications have been, to some extent, overlooked in the past decades.

    “However, the security, secrecy, and privacy issues of wireless communications have been, to some extent, overlooked in the past decades.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationcitation
    § High Security, Secrecy, and Privacy · p. 7

    Complete anonymization, decentralization, and untraceability can be realised in 6G networks by blockchain technology.

    “To solve this problem, it is envisioned that complete anonymization, decentralization, and untraceability can be realised in 6G networks by blockchain technology [62].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [62] Henry, R., Herzberg, A. & Kate, A. Blockchain access privacy: challenges and directions. IEEE Secur. Priv. 16, 38–45 (2018). source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Human Bond Communications · p. 5

    The human bond communication concept is expanded with the help of 'communication through breath' scheme to allow reading the human bio-profile using the exhaled breath and even interact with the human body by inhalation using volatile organic compounds.

    “Recently, the concept is expanded with the help of 'communication through breath' scheme to allow reading the human bio-profile using the exhaled breath and even interact with the human body by inhalation using volatile organic compounds [53].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [53] Khalid, M., Amin, O., Ahmed, S., Shihada, B. & Alouini, M.-S. Communication through breath: aerosol transmission. IEEE Commun. Mag. 57, 33–39 (2019). source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § High-Quality Communication Services on Board · p. 4

    Satellite communications enable communication services on board with acceptable service quality, but are too costly, especially in aircraft cabins.

    “Satellite communications enable communication services on board with acceptable service quality, but are too costly, especially in aircraft cabins [39].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [39] Zhang, X., Cheng, W. & Zhang, H. Heterogeneous statistical QoS provisioning over airborne mobile wireless networks. IEEE J. Sel. Area. Commun. 36, 2139–2152 (2018). source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given
    § KEY FEATURES AND ENABLING COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES OF 6G · p. 6

    Privacy protection mechanisms are far from being full-fledged in the 5G era.

    “let alone privacy protection mechanisms that are far from being full-fledged in the 5G era.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given
    § Summary · p. 6

    The eMBB-Plus in 6G is the successor of the eMBB in 5G, serving conventional mobile communications with much higher requirements and standards.

    “The eMBB-Plus in 6G is the successor of the eMBB in 5G, serving the conventional mobile communications with much higher requirements and standards.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given
    § Human Bond Communications · p. 5

    Developing communication systems that can replicate the human senses and human biological features requires interdisciplinary research.

    “Developing communication systems that can replicate the human senses and human biological features requires interdisciplinary research.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Communications Supporting Vertical Industries · p. 5

    Self-driving and remote-driving technologies will be technically mature and widely applied before 2030.

    “Due to the development of both technologies in recent years, it is believed that they will be technically mature and widely applied before 2030.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Communications Supporting Vertical Industries · p. 5

    Robotic communications are reliability-critical, delay-critical and security-critical because any error, delay and malicious action in robotic communication applications could result in severe instability.

    “Because any error, delay and malicious action in robotic communication applications could result in severe instability, robotic communications are reliability-critical, delay-critical and security-critical.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation
    § Human Bond Communications · p. 5

    Human bond communication concept is proposed to allow accessing the human five senses.

    “Human bond communication concept is proposed to allow accessing the human five senses [52].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [52] Prasad, R. Human bond communication. Wireless Pers. Commun. 87, 619–627 (2016). source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Worldwide Connectivity and Integrated Networking · p. 5

    More than 70% of the earth's surface is covered by water, and several marine applications need live monitoring.

    “Apart from the communications on ground and over sky, extending the communication network to underwater environment is a crucial and even necessary element of worldwide connectivity, especially that more than 70% of the earth's surface is covered by water, and several marine applications needs live monitoring [43].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [43] Saeed, N., Celik, A., Al-Naffouri, T. Y. & Alouini, M.-S. Underwater optical wireless communications, networking, and localization: a survey. Ad Hoc Netw. 94, 101935 (2019). source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationnone given
    § Human Bond Communications · p. 5

    6G is expected to widely support the human-centric communication concept, where the human can access and/or share physical features.

    “6G is expected to widely support the human-centric communication concept, where the human can access and/or share physical features.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Holographic Communications · p. 5

    All holographic information needs to be captured and transmitted over reliable communication networks that should have an extremely large bandwidth.

    “All this information needs to be captured and transmitted over reliable communication networks that should have an extremely large bandwidth.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given
    § KEY FEATURES AND ENABLING COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES OF 6G · p. 6

    The energy efficiency gain in 6G would be accomplished by the maturity of energy harvesting technology and green communications.

    “The energy efficiency gain would be accomplished by the maturity of energy harvesting technology and green communications.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationnone given
    § Summary · p. 6

    The BigCom in 6G cares about service fairness between dense and remote areas.

    “Different from 5G that emphasises extremely good communication services in dense areas but to some extent neglects the service in remote areas, the BigCom in 6G cares about the service fairness between dense and remote areas.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Human Bond Communications · p. 5

    It is expected to have hybrid communication technologies that are able to sense different physical quantities and then share it with the intended receiver in a secure manner.

    “It is expected to have hybrid communication technologies that are able to sense different physical quantities and then share it with the intended receiver in a secure manner.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation
    § Accurate Indoor Positioning · p. 4

    Accurate indoor positioning might not be viable by solely utilizing RF communications.

    “On the other hand, there is a growing consensus that accurate indoor positioning might not be viable by sole utilizing RF communications [36].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [36] Dang, S., Ma, G., Shihada, B. & Alouini, M.-S. Enabling smart buildings by indoor visible light communications and machine learning. Preprint at https://arxiv.org/abs/1904.07959 (2019). source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § What 5G Has Been · p. 2

    5G inherits the fundamental performance enhancement mechanisms since 4G, and its performance gains are achieved through investment in more spectral and hardware resources.

    “Instead, it inherits the fundamental performance enhancement mechanisms since 4G, and performance gains are achieved through an investment in more spectral and hardware resources [18].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [18] Dohler, M., Heath, R. W., Lozano, A., Papadias, C. B. & Valenzuela, R. A. Is the PHY layer dead? IEEE Commun. Mag. 49, 159–165 (2011). This paper describes a number of common issues that have lasted for a long time in the research community of wireless communications. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Holographic Communications · p. 5

    Transferring three-dimensional image along the voice is not sufficient to convey the in-person presence; a three-dimensional video with stereo audio that can be reconfigured easily is needed.

    “In fact, transferring three-dimensional image along the voice is not sufficient to convey the in-person presence. There is a need to have a three-dimensional video with stereo audio that can be reconfigured easily to capture several physical presences in the same area.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationnone given
    § Summary · p. 6

    The 3D-InteCom in 6G stresses that network analysis, planning and optimization shall be raised from two dimensions to three dimensions, by which the heights of communications nodes must be taken into consideration.

    “The 3D-InteCom in 6G stresses that the network analysis, planning and optimization shall be raised from two dimensions to three dimensions, by which the heights of communications nodes must be taken into consideration.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation
    § High Intelligence · p. 8

    Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces are designed to sense the wireless environment and apply customised transformations to radio waves adaptively.

    “Latest works have defined and justified the conception of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, which are designed to sense the wireless environment and apply customised transformations to the radio waves in an adaptive manner [30], [70].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [30] Renzo, D. et al. Smart radio environments empowered by reconfigurable AI meta-surfaces: an idea whose time has come. EURASIP J. Wireless Commun. Netw. 2019, 129 (2019). source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [70] Basar, E. et al. Wireless communications through reconfigurable intelligent surfaces. IEEE Access 7, 116753–116773 (2019). source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § High Intelligence · p. 8

    Environmental intelligence could provide self-organizing and self-healing properties for the 6G network and enable reliable device-to-device communications in a fully intelligent way.

    “This could provide self-organizing and self-healing properties for the 6G network and enable reliable device-to-device (D2D) communications in a fully intelligent way.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given
    § Trade-offs Between Key Features and Potential Solutions · p. 9

    AI algorithms can help detect network anomaly and can be utilised in 6G networks to provide an early warning mechanism for security enhancement.

    “Third, AI algorithms can also help to detect network anomaly and would be utilised in 6G networks to provide an early warning mechanism for security enhancement.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Potential Health and Psychological Issues for Users · p. 10

    The 'base station myth' is a frequent topic in public media and could even trigger severe protests, reflecting health concerns of users about radiation safety.

    “The 'base station myth' is a frequent topic in public media and could even trigger severe protests [79], which reflects the health concerns of users about radiation safety.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [79] Drake, F. Mobile phone masts: protesting the scientific evidence. Publ. Underst. Sci. 15, 387–410 (2006). source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Trade-offs Between Key Features and Potential Solutions · p. 9

    The contradictory situation between customisation and intelligence becomes severer when multiple users are taken into account.

    “The contradictory situation becomes severer when multiple users are taken into account.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Trade-offs Between Key Features and Potential Solutions · p. 9

    Privacy would be sacrificed for the sake of high intelligence.

    “On the other hand, privacy would be sacrificed for the sake of high intelligence.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Premisenone given
    § Trade-offs Between Key Features and Potential Solutions · p. 9

    To ensure secure transmission, more spectral resource is used for preventive measures, and the net load for transmitting information is lowered given a limited radio spectrum.

    “Conventionally, to ensure a secure transmission, more spectral resource shall be in use for preventive measures, and the net load for transmitting information is lowered accordingly, given a limited radio spectrum.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given
    § Trade-offs Between Key Features and Potential Solutions · p. 9

    High intelligence provided by AI algorithms and smart devices weakens the free will of human beings.

    “High intelligence provided by AI algorithms and smart devices weakens the free will of human beings.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Extremely Larger Bandwidth than 5G · p. 8

    THz transmission can play a vital role in the uplink because a line-of-sight link is not required.

    “THz transmission can play a vital role in the uplink, because a line-of-sight link is not required.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Extremely Larger Bandwidth than 5G · p. 8

    The THz band is defined from 0.1 THz to 10 THz and was known as a gap band between the microwave and optical spectra.

    “The THz band defined from 0.1 THz to 10 THz was known as a gap band between the microwave and optical spectra [76].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [76] Elayan, H., Amin, O., Shihada, B., Shubair, R. M. & Alouini, M. Terahertz band: the last piece of RF spectrum puzzle for communication systems. IEEE Open J. Commun. Soc. https://doi.org/10.1109/OJCOMS.2019.2953633 (2020). source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § High Intelligence · p. 8

    Service intelligence enables communication services to be provided in a satisfactory and personalised way.

    “Service intelligence enables these services to be provided in a satisfactory and personalised way.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Dependency on Basic Sciences · p. 9

    A large number of impractical assumptions are made to make analysis mathematically tractable, which cannot provide much insight and guideline for 6G communications.

    “As a result, a large number of impractical assumptions are made in order to make analysis mathematically tractable, which cannot provide much insight and guideline for 6G communications.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The advancement of wireless communications is highly restricted by basic sciences, especially mathematics and physics.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given
    § Extremely Larger Bandwidth than 5G · p. 8

    Hybrid VLC/THz system introduces robust communication solutions against ambient light that reduces the signal-to-noise ratio of the VLC system.

    “Hybrid VLC/THz system introduces robust communication solutions against ambient light that reduces the signal-to-noise ratio of the VLC system.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Trade-offs Between Key Features and Potential Solutions · p. 9

    User preference might not always be aligned with the optimised option produced by AI algorithms.

    “In other words, the user preference might not be always aligned with the optimised option produced by AI algorithms.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given
    § Trade-offs Between Key Features and Potential Solutions · p. 9

    AI algorithms need to get access to personal data and process them to optimise network operations, adapt network coefficients, and provide high-quality services.

    “On the one hand, AI algorithms need to get access to personal data and process them, so as to optimise network operations, adapt network coefficients, and provide high-quality services.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given
    § Trade-offs Between Key Features and Potential Solutions · p. 9

    High intelligence introduces a high degree of system complexity, which could raise costs to network operators and device manufacturers.

    “High intelligence introduces a high degree of system complexity, which could raise up the costs to network operators and device manufacturers.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Dependency on Upstream Industries · p. 9

    In the wireless communication research community, it is widely agreed that the most efficient ways to enhance wireless communication systems are to expand usage to high-frequency spectrum and to reduce the coverage of a single cell.

    “In the wireless communication research community, it is widely agreed that the most efficient ways to enhance wireless communication systems are to expand the usage to highfrequency spectrum and to reduce the coverage of a single cell [18].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [18] Dohler, M., Heath, R. W., Lozano, A., Papadias, C. B. & Valenzuela, R. A. Is the PHY layer dead? IEEE Commun. Mag. 49, 159–165 (2011). This paper describes a number of common issues that have lasted for a long time in the research community of wireless communications. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § High Intelligence · p. 8

    The conception of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces solidifies the hardware foundation of environmental intelligence.

    “This conception solidifies the hardware foundation of environmental intelligence.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Trade-offs Between Key Features and Potential Solutions · p. 9

    Energy harvesting will greatly alleviate the spectral efficiency versus energy efficiency trade-off.

    “However, different from 1G5G, a new path-breaking technology would be introduced to greatly alleviate this trade-off, which is energy harvesting.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Extremely Larger Bandwidth than 5G · p. 8

    Hybrid THz/free space optical links offer plenty of bandwidth for signal transmission and have immunity to adverse weather conditions.

    “The hybrid link offers plenty of bandwidth for signal transmission and has the immunity to adverse weather conditions [78].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [78] Nagatsuma, T., Ducournau, G. & Renaud, C. C. Advances in terahertz communications accelerated by photonics. Nat. Photon. 10, 371–379 (2016). source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Trade-offs Between Key Features and Potential Solutions · p. 8

    As an engineering system, it is not possible to satisfy all wished 6G features without investing more resources because there exist trade-offs between these features.

    “It should be noted that as an engineering system, it is not possible to satisfy all wished features without investing more resources, because there exist a number of trade-offs between these features.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation
    § Potential Health and Psychological Issues for Users · p. 10

    EMF-aware transmission can mitigate health concerns.

    “In this context, EMF-aware transmission would be a novel concept to be introduced in 6G to mitigate the health concerns [80].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [80] Tesanovic, M. et al. The LEXNET project: wireless networks and EMF: paving the way for low-EMF networks of the future. IEEE Veh. Technol. Mag. 9, 20–28 (2014). source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Potential Health and Psychological Issues for Users · p. 10

    With a densified network with smaller coverage per base station and use of higher frequency band, health concerns will be aggravated in the era of 6G.

    “With a densified network with a smaller coverage per BS and the use of higher frequency band, there are reasons to believe that such concerns will be aggravated in the era of 6G.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: EMF limits have been reached in some cities.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Dependency on Basic Sciences · p. 9

    We are squeezing the last lemon juice of Shannon's treatise published in 1948 and almost reach the hard wall set by information theory.

    “As detailed in [18], we are squeezing the last lemon juice of Shannon's treatise published in 1948 and almost reach the hard wall set by information theory.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [18] Dohler, M., Heath, R. W., Lozano, A., Papadias, C. B. & Valenzuela, R. A. Is the PHY layer dead? IEEE Commun. Mag. 49, 159–165 (2011). This paper describes a number of common issues that have lasted for a long time in the research community of wireless communications. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Trade-offs Between Key Features and Potential Solutions · p. 9

    Environmental intelligence realised by ubiquitous intelligent surfaces helps mitigate the spectrum-energy trade-off by adapting radio propagation environments.

    “The environmental intelligence realised by ubiquitous intelligent surfaces would also help to mitigate the spectrumenergy trade-off by adapting radio propagation environments.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Dependency on Upstream Industries · p. 9

    Both tendencies of expanding high-frequency spectrum and network densification must match developments in upstream industries such as electronics manufacturing.

    “On the other hand, both tendencies must match up the developments in upstream industries, e.g., electronics manufacturing.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Trade-offs Between Key Features and Potential Solutions · p. 9

    Raised costs from high intelligence will finally be transferred to less affordable products to end users.

    “All these raised costs will finally be transferred to less affordable products to end users.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Potential Health and Psychological Issues for Users · p. 10

    The psychological barrier would be a factor hindering the large-scale implementation of 6G from a human-centric perspective.

    “Apart from health issues, the psychological barrier would also be a factor hindering the large-scale implementation of 6G from a human-centric perspective.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationcitation
    § Potential Health and Psychological Issues for Users · p. 10

    Without a careful study on psychological issues before implementing in practice, 6G could cause catastrophic consequences and even deconstruct existing trust in ICTs.

    “Without a careful study on these psychological issues before implementing in practice, 6G could cause catastrophic consequences and even deconstruct existing trust in ICTs [81].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [81] Pieters, W. Explanation and trust: what to tell the user in security and AI? Ethics Inf. Technol. 13, 53–64 (2011). source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Social Factors Hindering the Worldwide Connectivity · p. 10

    People living in developing areas are not motivated to be connected because of lack of content relevance, language barrier, and computer literacy.

    “That is, the people living in developing areas are not motivated to be connected, because of the lack of content relevance, language barrier, and computer literacy.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [40] Philbeck, I. Connecting the Unconnected: Working Together to Achieve Connect 2020 Agenda Targets. In Special Session of the Broadband Commission and the World Economic Forum at Davos Annual Meeting (Broadband Commission, 2017).

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Social Factors Hindering the Worldwide Connectivity · p. 10

    The lack of motivation to be connected in developing areas is mainly a demand-side issue and should be given full consideration when deploying 6G networks for worldwide connectivity.

    “This is mainly a demand-side issue and shall be given full consideration when deploying 6G networks for worldwide connectivity.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Potential Health and Psychological Issues for Users · p. 10

    6G is expected to be not only technologically trustworthy but also societally trustworthy.

    “6G is expected to be not only technologically trustworthy [82], but also societally trustworthy.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [82] Yang, H. & Alouini, M.-S. Data-oriented wireless transmission in future wireless systems: toward trustworthy support of advanced Internet of Things. IEEE Veh. Technol. Mag. 14, 78–83 (2019). source

      Not checked in the free run.

59 of 59

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Conventional mobile communications will remain the most important application of 6G around 2030.

    “We believe that conventional mobile communications will still be the most important application of 6G around 2030, though other application scenarios will become ubiquitous and increasingly significant.”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    The spectral efficiency in 5G has already been close to the boundary.

    “In this figure, we first suppose that the spectral efficiency in 5G has already been close to the boundary by the advances in massive MIMO, network densification, and millimetre-wave transmission as well as a set of legacy multiplexing techniques inhering from 4G.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Communication/data service providers have legally collected an enormous amount of user information, and private data leakage incidents happened occasionally.

    “Meanwhile, communication/data service providers have legally collected an enormous amount of user information, and private data leakage incidents happened occasionally.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The RSA cryptosystems have become insecure under the pressure of Big Data and AI technologies.

    “The RSA cryptosystems have become insecure under the pressure of Dig Data and AI technologies, let alone privacy protection mechanisms that are far from being full-fledged in the 5G era.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Daily charging requirements of smartphones and tablets are annoying in 4G/LTE networks and will continue in the foreseeable 5G era.

    “The daily charging requirements of smartphones and tablets become annoying in 4G/LTE networks and will continue to the foreseeable 5G era.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Conventional network operation involves a great number of multi-objective performance optimization problems subject to a series of complex constraints.

    “Conventional network operation involves a great number of multi-objective performance optimization problems subject to a series of complex constraints.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    These multi-objective performance optimization problems are usually NP-hard, and optimal solutions are hard to be obtained on a real-time basis.

    “Moreover, these multi-objective performance optimization problems are usually NP-hard, and optimal solutions are hard to be obtained on a real-time basis.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The advancement of wireless communications is highly restricted by basic sciences, especially mathematics and physics.

    “It is admitted that the advancement of wireless communications is highly restricted by basic sciences, especially mathematics and physics.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    In some cases, the resultant data rate has exceeded the allowable constraint on the electronic circuit by the current manufacturing level, or the signal on higher frequency bands cannot be proceeded by currently commercial chips at all.

    “In some cases, the resultant data rate has even exceeded the allowable constraint on the electronic circuit by the current manufacturing level, or the signal on higher frequency bands cannot be proceeded by currently commercial chips at all.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Previous research activities primarily focus on the technology itself, but rarely on the business model and commercialization.

    “Previous research activities primarily focus on the technology itself, but rarely on the business model and commercialization.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Building new base stations is costly because of land use right granting and construction operations.

    “Building new BSs is costly after all, because of land use right granting and construction operations.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    For most ordinary users and government policy makers, paying several times higher to get a dispensable performance gain in terms of transmission rate or latency will not be accepted.

    “One should always remember that for most ordinary users and government policy makers, paying several times higher to get a dispensable performance gain in terms of transmission rate or latency will not be accepted, let alone appreciated.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    EMF limits have been reached in some cities.

    “As reported, electromotive force (EMF) limits have been reached in some cities.”
13 of 13

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Meeting stringent latency and reliability requirements in future 6G V2X sidelink networks is paramount to support mission-critical applications such as autonomous driving, V2V communication, and V2I communication.

    “In future 6G V2X sidelink networks, meeting the stringent latency and reliability requirements [95], [1], [30] is paramount to support mission-critical applications like autonomous driving, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication.”

    From Towards 6G V2X Sidelink: Survey of Resource Allocation—Mathematical Formulations, Challenges, and Proposed Solutions (2024) · cites this paper as [95]

  • The key focus of 6G technology is security, secrecy and privacy.

    “The key focus of 6G technology is security, secrecy and privacy [7].”

    From 6G Communication Technology: A Vision on Intelligent Healthcare (2021) · cites this paper as [7]

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • WiMAX is classified as both 3G and 4G

    Minor

    The text lists WiMAX among technologies representing 3G, but Table II places it under 4G standards.

1 of 1

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 6

  1. Tariq, F. et al. A speculative study on 6G. Preprint at https://arxiv.org/abs/1902.06700 (2019). · arXiv
  2. Raivio, Y. 4G-hype or reality. In Proc. Int. Conf. 3G Mobile Commun. Technol. 346–350 (IET, 2001).
  3. Patzold, M. 5G is coming around the corner. IEEE Veh. Technol. Mag. 14, 4–10 (2019). This editorial summarizes the latest achievements of 5G research deployment.
  4. Nadeem, Q.-U.-A., Kammoun, A., Chaaban, A., Debbah, M. & Alouini, M.-S. Asymptotic max-min SINR analysis of reconfigurable intelligent surface assisted MISO systems. Preprint at https://arxiv.org/abs/1903.08127v3 (2019). · arXiv
  5. 5G communications for automation in vertical domains. 5G Americas https://go.nature.com/2th2xi0 (2018).
  6. Harrison, K. A., Munro, W. J., Rarity, J. G. & Duligall, J. L. Quantum key distribution apparatus and method. US patent 8,054,976 (2011).

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Dang, S., Amin, O., Shihada, B., & Alouini, M.-S.
Affiliations
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (SA)
Corresponding author
Dang, Shuping
ORCID
Venue
Nature Electronics
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2020-01-24
Volume
3
Issue
1
Pages
20-29
ISSN
2520-1131 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1038/s41928-019-0355-6
OpenAlex
W3002159761
Semantic Scholar
9b37298e1497ac6bbd6a2c6d27c6acdb9d54d7d5
Cited by
1,790
References
88
Citations by year
2026: 212 · 2025: 295 · 2024: 353 · 2023: 283 · 2022: 251 · 2021: 253 · 2020: 139 · 2019: 4
FWCI
79.52
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Nature Electronics (publishedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University) (submittedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • King Abdullah University of Science and Technology Repository (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) (submittedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University)
Funders
  • Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
  • King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
  • Oulun Yliopisto
  • Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
  • LG Electronics
  • Samsung
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Advanced Wireless Communication Technologies
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Media Technology › Telecommunications and Broadcasting Technologies
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computer Networks and Communications › Software-Defined Networks and 5G
Keywords
6G communication, 5G standardization, network security, secrecy, privacy

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-09.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-09.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

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