What 5G? Samsung is already working on 6G

5G networks and smartphones haven’t even properly arrived yet, but Samsung is already working on the next generation of cellular network technology. 

The Korea Herald reported Tuesday that Samsung has launched a new research center, focusing, among other things, on 6G research. 

The new center is called the Advanced Communications Research Center and it’s a part of Samsung’s main research and development organization in Seoul — Samsung Research.

“The current team on telecommunications technology standards has been expanded to start leading research on the 6G network,” an unnamed Samsung official told the outlet. 

Given that 5G — at least the consumer-ready portion of it — is still in its infancy, most people (except a certain president) are probably wondering what does 6G stand for at this point, and the answer is: not much. It’s a probable name for cellular network tech that comes after 5G, but it’s very early in its development, and it probably won’t turn into anything sold for at least a couple more years. 

On its Samsung Research website, Samsung doesn’t say much about 6G. “Already in Europe, China, and the United States, there are open discussions on the need for research on 6G, the next generation after 5G, and the first research projects are already underway across the globe,” the website states. 

Unsurprisingly, The Korea Herald’s report is thin on details as well, besides saying that the new research center will also work on artificial intelligence and robotics.