EXPERT INSIGHT: Predicted Profiles for 6G Traffic

After 30 years of history with mobile networks, we know the cycle: Every 8-10 years a new generation is unleashed, allowing for higher throughput, more capacity, and lower cost per GB. Mobile Experts has covered many aspects of the cycle in previous reports.

In this report, we intend to lay out the likely scenarios for 6G data, based on our observations of the 5G market, business dynamics, and adoption of new applications. We answer the question of “how long will mobile data growth continue at 40-50% per year” based on our view of mobile networks taking market share away from wired networks, and based on ongoing growth in both markets.

In the end, our aim in this report is to provide useful profiles so that the advanced R&D teams currently engaging in ‘blue sky thinking’ for 6G can focus on real-world scenarios that are likely. Let’s not just throw technology up in the air and see which one flies. Let’s develop 6G to a likely need.

August 2021