6G: Empowering Telecoms and Engineers

6G: The Driving Force Behind a New Generation of Telecoms Technology and Engineers

“While 5G commercialisation is still in its initial stage, it’s never too early to start preparing for 6G.” That was a comment from Sunghyun Choi, Head of the Advanced Communications Research Centre at Samsung Research — and it’s proving more relevant than ever.

Predictions still point toward 6G becoming commercialised in the early 2030s, but timelines are accelerating. Some experts now suggest we could see limited commercial deployments as early as 2028, with pre-standard trials already underway in multiple countries. As 5G networks continue their global rollout, the question for telecoms engineers is shifting: what skills are needed to help build the next generation, and how can you prepare now?

The global race for 6G

China continues to lead the pack, holding roughly 35% of global 6G-related patents, according to the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA). The US remains in second place at about 18%, while South Korea, Japan, and several European nations are rapidly increasing their contributions.

Recent milestones include:

• 2023–2024 trials by NTT Docomo, Samsung, and Nokia testing terahertz frequencies (above 100 GHz) for ultra-high-speed, low-latency links.
• China’s second round of experimental 6G satellites launched in 2024, testing space–terrestrial integration for global coverage.
• South Korea’s government–industry consortium targeting a world-first 6G demo network in 2026.

Europe is also stepping up: The European Commission has allocated over €1.8 billion (up from €900 million) to the Joint Undertaking on Smart Networks and Services (SNS JU) under Horizon Europe, funding both foundational research and real-world pilots.

6G jobs in the market

While 6G remains in the research and proof-of-concept stage, roles are already appearing. Tech giants like Apple, Samsung, and Nokia continue to advertise for 6G research engineers, with responsibilities ranging from radio system design to AI-driven network optimisation.

Notable examples:

• Apple hiring Wireless Research Systems Engineers in the US to “create next-generation wireless technology that will have deep impact on the future.”
• University College London recruiting researchers to pioneer self-optimising radios using new AI algorithms.
• Nokia Bell Labs opening 6G-focused research roles in Europe and North America.

Even companies with lower public visibility in this space — such as Huawei — are quietly investing in talent, especially as space-based 6G experiments progress.

Skills needed for the future

If you’re a telecoms engineer eyeing 6G, certain skill sets are already proving valuable:

• Cloud-native networking: A deep understanding of virtualised, cloud-based infrastructure will be essential, as 6G networks are expected to be fully software-defined from core to edge.
• AI and machine learning: 6G radios will be built with native AI capabilities, enabling them to detect interference, optimise themselves in real time, and even predict demand surges before they occur.
• Advanced radio technologies: Expertise in massive MIMO, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS), and terahertz band propagation will be highly sought after.
• Cross-domain integration: 6G aims to merge terrestrial, satellite, and aerial networks into a seamless system, so knowledge of space communications and drone-based networks will set candidates apart.

Looking ahead

6G is not just about faster speeds — it’s about enabling immersive extended reality (XR), digital twins of entire cities, tactile internet applications, and real-time holographic communication. While the exact technical standards are still being finalised, the foundations are being laid now, and the skills required are becoming clearer with each passing year.

For engineers, that means the time to prepare is now. As history has shown with every new generation of mobile technology, the early movers — those who build skills ahead of the curve — will be the ones shaping the future.