LG Electronics said the recent test was carried out in partnership with Korean operator LG U+ in Seoul
Korean tech company LG Electronics announced a successful wireless transmission and reception of terahertz (THz) data over 500 meters, which it claimed is the longest distance recorded in any 6G-focused test conducted in an outdoor, urban area to date.
LG said the test, which was carried out in partnership with Korean carrier LG U+, took place at the beginning of September at LG Sciencepark in Magok, Seoul.
6G has not yet been standardized, but research and exploration of candidate technologies and new frequencies, including the terahertz range, is well underway.
LG noted that this latest achievement follows a previous test in 2022, when it sent and received THz data wirelessly over a distance of 320 meters outdoors at the Fraunhofer Heinrich-Hertz Institute in Berlin, Germany. At that time, LG and Fraunhofer cooperated to develop core equipment for future 6G transmission and reception, including a multi-channel power amplifier and a receiver low-noise amplifier, which helped optimize performance and improve output by more than 50%.
The company highlighted that the recent THz test also verified the usability of the spectrum range for 6G use in various “real world” communication scenarios, including building-to-building, building-to-ground terminal and ground-to-ground terminals.
The tech firm also stressed that the advanced capabilities of future 6G technology will be crucial for several of LG’s future businesses, including autonomous driving and mobility solutions, the metaverse, smart homes and smart factories.
“We will continue to cooperate with research institutions and tech companies, and conduct our own advanced R&D, to dominate 6G standard technology and solidify our technological leadership in this important field,” said Kim Byoung-hoon, CTO and executive vice president of LG Electronics.
In 2019, LG together with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) established the LG Electronics-KAIST 6G Research Center, the first industry-university cooperative research facility of its kind in Korea. LG has also forged R&D partnerships for the development of 6G core technology with various institutes, including Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute, the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) and Keysight Technologies.
LG previously said that 6G is expected to be commercialized in 2029. LG also noted that future 6G technologies will provide faster data speed, lower latency and higher reliability than 5G, and will be able to bring the concept of Ambient Internet of Everything (AIoE), which provides enhanced connected experience to users.
The government of South Korea recently said it expected to start a project focused on the development of future 6G systems in 2024. According to recent report, the government announced a budget of KRW440 billion ($332.4 million) for this purpose.
The government said that the country’s ambition is to demonstrate pre-6G technology by 2026 and secure 30% of the 6G international standard patents.
The government of South Korea previously said it aims to launch a pilot project for not-yet-standardized 6G mobile services in 2026. The Korean government expects 6G services could be commercially available in Korea between 2028 and 2030.
