Media reports China debuts world’s first 6G chip

(MENAFN) Chinese scientists have introduced the world’s first 6G chip, a breakthrough that could drastically improve internet access in remote and rural areas, according to the South China Morning Post on Friday. Developed by researchers from Peking University and the City University of Hong Kong, the chip is said to boost mobile internet speeds up to 100 gigabits per second—potentially 5,000 times faster than current capabilities in underserved regions.

The innovation is seen as a step toward bridging the digital divide between urban centers and rural communities, enabling tasks such as downloading a 50GB 8K movie within seconds. Unlike current 5G technologies, which are limited to specific frequency bands, the new "all-frequency" 6G chip covers a broad spectrum from 0.5 GHz to 115 GHz, allowing seamless performance across various wireless environments. The chip is compact, measuring just 11mm by 1.7mm, and could replace multiple components that previously handled different frequency ranges.

Professor Wang Xingjun from Peking University highlighted that higher-frequency bands, such as millimeter-wave and terahertz, offer significant bandwidth and low latency—ideal for demanding applications like virtual reality and remote surgeries.

Despite the potential advantages, 6G technology is not without concerns. Critics point to potential health risks from increased electromagnetic radiation, especially at higher frequencies, as well as growing cybersecurity threats due to the massive number of connected devices. Environmental costs, data privacy issues, and the possibility of widening inequality—if rural areas are left behind—are also among the concerns.

Researchers are now developing plug-and-play modules compatible with various technologies, from smartphones to drones, suggesting the chip could become a key component in next-generation devices.

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