When fifth-generation or 5G mobile technology was first rolled out a few years ago, the promise was transformative: superfast download speeds, ultralow latency and networks that could carry not just human conversations but entire industrial systems. In many ways, 5G delivered. It enabled remote work and real-time streaming, and paved the way for smart factories, logistics and even urban planning, powered by live data.

But as the world continues to grapple with patchy 5G coverage and the costs of deployment, the next big leap is already on the horizon. Sixth-generation wireless technology or 6G is no longer science fiction. The industry, from equipment vendors to regulators, is actively sketching what the network of 2030 and beyond will look like.