The Global Market for 6G Technology 2025-2045: Next-Generation Wireless Communications, Advanced Materials, and Devices

Report
395 Pages
September 2024
Region: Global
Future Markets, Inc
ID: 5997293

As 5G networks continue to roll out globally, researchers and industry leaders are already setting their sights on the next generation: 6G.

The 6G market is poised for massive growth over the next decade, driven by the need for ultra-fast and high-capacity wireless connectivity. 6G networks represent the next frontier in hyperconnected mobility, building on the capabilities of 5G to deliver radical increases in speed, reliability and scale. This technological leap is expected to enable transformative applications across sectors from transportation to healthcare while supporting sustainable development.

However, realizing the full potential of 6G requires overcoming key challenges around technical complexity, standardization, infrastructure costs and use case validation. This comprehensive market report delves into the future of 6G technology, exploring its potential applications, key players, and the revolutionary changes it promises to bring to various sectors.

Report contents include:

Evolution of mobile networks from the first generation (1G) to the current fifth generation (5G). This historical perspective provides crucial context for understanding the leap that 6G represents. While 5G has introduced unprecedented speeds and low latency, 6G aims to push these boundaries even further, promising terabit-per-second data rates, microsecond latency, and ubiquitous connectivity.
6G: Beyond the Limitations of 5G: Despite the significant advancements brought by 5G, certain limitations have become apparent. The report identifies these constraints and explains how 6G aims to address them. Key benefits of 6G are explored, including its potential to enable truly immersive augmented and virtual reality experiences, autonomous systems, and the Internet of Everything (IoE).
Advanced Materials and Hardware Developments crucial for realizing 6G networks. This includes an in-depth look at:
- Semiconductor technologies for 6G, including CMOS, SiGe, GaAs, GaN, and InP
- Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) and metamaterials
- Low-loss materials and dielectrics
- Thermal management solutions
- Graphene and other 2D materials
The 6G Market: Current State and Future Outlook
Market challenges and bottlenecks.
Global 6G Landscape: Key Markets and Players An analysis of key geographical markets for 6G is provided, focusing on North America, Asia Pacific, and Europe. The report identifies the main market players, including telecommunications companies, equipment manufacturers, and technology providers. It also outlines significant 6G projects and government initiatives worldwide, offering insights into the global race for 6G leadership.
6G Hardware Roadmap: A detailed 6G hardware roadmap is presented, outlining the expected timeline for key technological developments.
6G Networks and Technologies-technical aspects of 6G networks, including:
- 6G spectrum utilization
- Space-Air-Ground Integrated Networks (SAGIN)
- Artificial Intelligence-powered 6G networks
- Terahertz (THz) communications
- Visible Light Communication
- Quantum communication technologies
Internet of Things (IoT) and Edge Computing in 6G-how 6G will enable:
- Smart cities and smart environments
- Enhanced healthcare systems
- Advanced smart grids
- Intelligent transportation networks
- Next-generation smart factories and farming
Beyond Communications: Sensing and Imaging Applications:
- THz sensing for various industrial and security applications
- Advanced imaging capabilities for medical diagnostics and industrial inspection
Energy Efficiency and Sustainability in 6G:
- Zero Energy Devices (ZED) for 6G
- Energy harvesting technologies
- Ultra-low power electronics. These technologies are crucial for ensuring that the increased capabilities of 6G do not come at the cost of unsustainable energy consumption.
Global Market Forecasts for 6G (2025-2045) including:
- Overall market revenues
- Base station deployments
- 6G dielectric and thermal materials market
- Low-loss material market
- Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) tiles market
Company Profiles. Comprehensive profiles of key companies driving 6G innovation, including:
- Major telecommunications companies (Huawei, Nokia, Ericsson, Samsung)
- Tech giants (Apple, Google, NVIDIA)
- Specialized 6G technology providers (Metawave, Pivotal Commware)
- Materials and component manufacturers (NXP Semiconductors, Solvay)

This extensive market report on 6G technology offers a comprehensive overview of the next generation of wireless communication. From the underlying technologies and materials to market forecasts and key players, it provides valuable insights for industry professionals, policymakers, investors, and anyone interested in the future of telecommunications. As 6G moves from concept to reality over the coming years, the insights provided in this report will be crucial for understanding and navigating this revolutionary technology. With its potential to transform industries, enable new applications, and reshape our digital landscape, 6G represents not just the next step in wireless evolution, but a leap into a new era of connectivity and innovation.

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1.1 From 1G to 6G
1.2 Evolution from 5G Networks
1.2.1 Limitations with 5G
1.2.2 Benefits of 6G
1.2.3 Advanced materials in 6G
1.2.4 Recent hardware developments
1.3 The 6G Market in 2024
1.4 Market outlook for 6G
1.4.1 Proliferation in Consumer Technology
1.4.2 Industrial and Enterprise Transformation
1.4.3 Economic Competitiveness
1.4.4 Sustainability
1.5 Market drivers and trends
1.6 Market challenges and bottlenecks
1.7 Applications
1.7.1 Connected Autonomous Vehicle Systems
1.7.2 Next Generation Industrial Automation
1.7.3 Healthcare Solutions
1.7.4 Immersive Extended Reality Experiences
1.8 Key geographical markets for 6G
1.8.1 North America
1.8.2 Asia Pacific
1.8.3 Europe
1.9 Main market players
1.10 6G projects, by country
1.11 Global 6G government initiatives
1.12 6G hardware roadmap
1.13 SWOT analysis
1.14 Sustainability in 6G

2 INTRODUCTION

2.1 6G spectrum
2.2 Applications of 6G
2.3 6G devices and infrastructure
2.4 6G services
2.5 6G base stations
2.6 Satellite networks for 6G
2.7 6G drones
2.8 Wireless powered IoE for 6G
2.9 Key technologies for THz communication
2.10 6G networks
2.10.1 SAGIN - Space-air-ground integrated networks
2.10.2 Underwater
2.10.3 Key Technologies
2.10.4 AI-powered 6G networks
2.11 Global architecture concepts for 6G networks
2.11.1 Cell-Free Massive MIMO
2.11.2 Integrated Space and Terrestrial Networks
2.11.3 AI-Defined Networking
2.11.4 Energy Harvesting Grids
2.11.5 Visible Light Communication
2.11.6 Quantum Backbones
2.11.7 Internet of Bio-Nano Things
2.11.8 Terahertz Mesh Networks
2.11.9 AI-Optimized Topologies
2.11.10 THz wireless
2.11.11 Holographic beamforming
2.11.12 Intelligent reflecting surfaces
2.11.13 TeraHertz amplification
2.11.14 Visible light sensing
2.11.15 Quantum communication
2.11.16 Bio-computing networks
2.11.17 Blockchain
2.12 6G Radio system
2.12.1 Overview
2.12.1.1 Millimeter-wave (mmWave) communications
2.12.1.2 THz communications
2.12.1.3 Optical wireless communications
2.12.1.3.1 Visible light communication (VLC)
2.12.1.3.2 Light-Fidelity (LiFi)
2.12.1.3.3 Optical camera communication (OCC)
2.12.1.3.4 LiDAR technology
2.12.1.3.5 Free space optical (FSO) communication
2.12.2 Bandwidth and Modulation
2.12.3 Power consumption
2.13 6G Non-terrestrial networks
2.13.1 Overview
2.13.2 Commercial activities
2.14 Internet of things (IoT)
2.14.1 Smart cities
2.14.2 Smart radio environments
2.14.3 Smart healthcare
2.14.4 Smart grid
2.14.5 Smart transportation
2.14.6 Smart factories
2.14.7 Smart farming
2.15 Edge computing
2.16 Artificial intelligence and machine learning

3 MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGIES

3.1 Phase array antennas
3.1.1 Overview
3.1.2 Antenna types
3.2 Phase array modules
3.2.1 Overview
3.2.2 Commercial and proof-of-concepts
3.3 Packaging technologies
3.3.1 Overview
3.3.2 Antenna packages
3.4 Inorganic compounds
3.4.1 Overview
3.4.2 Materials
3.5 Elements
3.5.1 Overview
3.5.2 Materials
3.6 Organic compounds
3.6.1 Overview
3.6.2 Materials
3.7 Semiconductor technologies for 6G
3.7.1 CMOS
3.7.1.1 CMOS technology - Bulk vs SOI
3.7.1.2 RF CMOS technology
3.7.1.3 CMOS and hybrid lll-V CMOS approaches sub-THz
3.7.1.4 6G CMOS design
3.7.1.5 PD-SOI CMOS and SiGe BiCMOS for 6G
3.7.2 SiGe
3.7.2.1 RF SiGe technology
3.7.3 GaAs and GaN
3.7.4 InP
3.7.5 Si vs III-V semiconductors
3.7.5.1 Key Differences
3.7.6 Semiconductor technology choices for THz RF
3.7.7 Key THz Technologies
3.7.8 Challenges
3.8 Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS)
3.8.1 6G Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces and metamaterials
3.8.2 Overview
3.8.3 Applications in 6G
3.8.4 Transparent IRS and RIS
3.8.5 Simultaneous transmissive and reflective STAR RIS
3.8.6 Semi-passive and active RIS materials and components
3.8.7 Hardware
3.8.8 Metamaterials and Metasurfaces
3.8.9 Liquid crystal polymers (LCP) for RIS
3.8.10 Beam management
3.8.11 Companies
3.8.12 SWOT analysis
3.9 Metamaterials
3.9.1 Overview
3.9.2 Applications
3.9.2.1 Reconfigurable antennas
3.9.2.2 Wireless sensing
3.9.2.3 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth
3.9.2.4 5G and 6G Metasurfaces for Wireless Communications
3.9.2.5 Hypersurfaces
3.9.2.6 Active material patterning
3.9.2.7 Optical ENX metamaterials
3.9.2.8 Metamaterials for RIS
3.9.2.9 Liquid crystal polymers
3.9.3 Companies
3.9.4 SWOT analysis
3.10 Low-loss materials
3.10.1 Overview
3.10.2 6G low-loss materials
3.10.3 Companies
3.10.4 SWOT analysis
3.11 6G dielectrics
3.11.1 Overview
3.11.2 Companies
3.11.3 SWOT analysis
3.12 Cell-Free Massive MIMO
3.12.1 Overview
3.12.2 Cellular mMIMO, network mMIMO, and cell-free mMIMO
3.13 Fiber optics
3.13.1 Overview
3.13.2 Materials and applications in 6G
3.14 Graphene and 2D materials
3.14.1 Overview
3.14.2 Applications
3.14.2.1 Supercapacitors, LiC and pseudocapacitors
3.14.2.2 Graphene transistors
3.14.2.3 Graphene THz device structures
3.14.3 Companies
3.15 Thermal management
3.15.1 Overview
3.15.2 Thermal materials and structures for 6G
3.15.2.1 Thermal management materials
3.15.2.1.1 Advanced Ceramics
3.15.2.1.2 Diamond-based Materials
3.15.2.1.3 Graphene and Carbon Nanotubes
3.15.2.1.4 Phase Change Materials (PCMs)
3.15.2.1.5 Advanced Polymers
3.15.2.1.6 Metal Matrix Composites
3.15.2.1.7 Two-Dimensional Materials
3.15.2.1.8 Nanofluid Coolants
3.15.2.1.9 Thermal metamaterials
3.15.2.1.10 Hydrogels
3.15.2.1.11 Aerogels
3.15.2.1.12 Ionogels
3.15.2.1.13 Pyrolytic graphite
3.15.2.2 Thermoelectrics
3.15.3 Companies
3.15.4 SWOT analysis
3.16 Smart EM devices
3.16.1 Overview
3.17 Photoactive materials
3.17.1 Overview
3.17.2 Applications in 6G
3.18 Silicon carbide
3.18.1 Overview
3.18.2 Applications in 6G
3.19 Phase-Change Materials
3.19.1 Overview
3.19.2 Applications in 6G
3.20 Vanadium dioxide
3.20.1 Overview
3.20.2 Applications in 6G
3.21 Micro- mechanics, MEMS and microfluidics
3.21.1 Overview
3.21.2 Applications in 6G
3.22 Beyond communications markets and applications
3.22.1 THz Sensing
3.22.2 THz Imaging
3.23 Solid state cooling
3.23.1 Overview
3.23.2 Companies
3.24 Zero Energy Devices
3.24.1 Overview
3.24.2 6G ZED materials and technologies
3.24.2.1 Metamaterials
3.24.2.2 IRS
3.24.2.3 RIS
3.24.2.4 Simultaneous wireless and information transfer SWIPT
3.24.2.5 Ambient backscatter communications AmBC
3.24.2.6 Energy harvesting for 6G
3.24.2.6.1 Photovoltaic
3.24.2.6.2 Ambient RF
3.24.2.6.3 Electrodynamic
3.24.2.6.4 Piezoelectric
3.24.2.6.5 Triboelectric
3.24.2.6.6 Thermoelectric
3.24.2.6.7 Pyroelectric
3.24.2.6.8 Thermal hydrovoltaic
3.24.2.6.9 Biofuel cells
3.24.2.7 Ultra-low power electronics
3.24.2.7.1 Supercapacitors
3.24.2.7.2 Hybrid approaches
3.24.2.7.3 Pseudocapacitors

4 GLOBAL MARKET FORECASTS FOR 6G, 2025-2045

4.1 Market revenues
4.2 Base stations
4.3 6G dielectric and thermal materials
4.4 Low loss material
4.5 Thermal materials
4.6 RIS tiles
4.6.1 Pricing forecasts
4.6.2 By square meter
4.6.3 By revenues

5 COMPANY PROFILES (43 COMPANY PROFILES)6 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY7 REFERENCES

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Technology benchmarkmarking of phase antenna array in 28, 90, and 140 GHz
Table 2. Evolution of 1G to 5G mobile wireless communications
Table 3. Key differences from 5G
Table 4. Limitations with 5G
Table 5. Advanced materials in 6G
Table 6. Market drivers and trends in 6G
Table 7. Market challenges and bottlenecks in 6G
Table 8. Main market players in 6G
Table 9. Global 6G government initiatives
Table 10. Comparison of spectrum bands for 6G
Table 11. 6G applications
Table 12. 6G devices and infrastructure
Table 13. Key technologies enabling THz communication
Table 14. Comparison between conventional MIMO and massive MIMO
Table 15. Comparison between electronic THz design and communication systems
Table 16. Key THz Technologies
Table 17. Antenna types in 6G
Table 18. Inorganic compounds in 6G communications
Table 19. Elements in 6G communications
Table 20. Organic compounds in 6G communications
Table 21. State of the art RF transistors performance
Table 22. Comparison of silicon (Si) based semiconductors versus III-V compound semiconductors for applications in 6G communications
Table 23. semiconductor technology choice for THz RF
Table 24. key THz Technologies
Table 25. Transistor performance metrics of different semiconductor technologies
Table 26. Power amplifier benchmarks by bands
Table 27. Challenges for semiconductor for THz communications,
Table 28. RIS operation phases
Table 29. Reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) for 6G
Table 30. RIS prototypes
Table 31. RIS vs traditional reflecting array antennas,
Table 32. Companies developing RIS technology
Table 33. Applications of metamaterials in 6G
Table 34. Unmet need, metamaterial solution and markets
Table 35. Companies developing metamaterials and metasurfaces for 6G
Table 36. 6G low-loss materials
Table 37. Low-loss material choices from 5G to 6G
Table 38. Companies developing 6G low-loss materials
Table 39. Market players in 6G dielectrics
Table 40. Benefits and challenges of cell-free mMIMO
Table 41. Market players in graphene and 2D materials for 6G
Table 42. Thermal materials and structures for 6G
Table 43. Companies developing 6G thermal management materials
Table 44. photoactive materials being investigated for applications around 1 THz for future 6G wireless systems
Table 45. Market players in solid-state cooling for 6G
Table 46. Global market revenue for 6G communications, by market, 2024-2045 (billions USD)
Table 47. 5G base stations market forecast 2024-2045 (billions USD)
Table 48. 6G base stations market forecast 2024-2045 (billions USD)
Table 49. Global market forecast for 6G dielectric and thermal materials 2024-2045 (Millions USD)
Table 50. Low loss materials for 6G global market, 2024-2045 (by million square meters)
Table 51. Global 5G vs 6G thermal interface material market 2024-2045 ($ billion)
Table 52. Forecasts for RIS tiles, 2024-2044 (billion sq. meter)
Table 53. Forecasts for RIS tiles, 2024-2045 (billion USD)

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. 140 GHz THz prototype from Samsung and UCSB
Figure 2. Evolution of Mobile Networks: From 1G to 6G
Figure 3. Radio coverage of 6G
Figure 4. 6G hardware roadmap
Figure 5. 6G communications SWOT analysis
Figure 6. 6G spectrum
Figure 7. 6G world in 2030
Figure 8. Key services and roadmap for 6G
Figure 9. 6G Self-powered ultra-massive UM-MIMO base station design
Figure 10. 6G-SAGIN architecture
Figure 11. 6G System Architecture Design
Figure 12. Cell-Free Massive MIMO systems
Figure 13. Space-Terrestrial Integrated Network
Figure 14. Visible Light Communication in 6G
Figure 15. Internet of Bio-Nano Things
Figure 16. An illustration of electromagnetic spectrum
Figure 17. Network platforms with MEC
Figure 18. Phased array antennas for 6G
Figure 19. 16-channel 140 GHz phased-array module (middle), dual-channel 140 GHz RFICs (left), 128-element antenna array (right)
Figure 20. Novel antenna-in-package (AiP) for mmWave systems
Figure 21. Stack-up AiP module on a system board
Figure 22. RF Si interposer with integrated InP and CMOS devices and antenna array in a package
Figure 23. GaAs based amplifier
Figure 24. InP power amplifiers
Figure 25. Reconfigurable intelligent reflecting surfaces aided mobile
Figure 26. RIS Architecture
Figure 27. SWOT analysis for RIS in 6G communications
Figure 28. Wireless charging technology prototype
Figure 29. Flat-panel satellite antenna (top) and antenna mounted on a vehicle (bottom)
Figure 30. META Transparent Window Film
Figure 31. SWOT analysis for metamaterials in 6G
Figure 32. SWOT analysis for low-loss materials for 6G
Figure 33. SWOT analysis for 6G dielectrics
Figure 34. SWOT analysis for thermal management materials and structures for 6G
Figure 35. Global market revenue for 6G communications, by market, 2024-2045 (billions USD)
Figure 36. Global market revenue for 6G communications
Figure 37. Global market forecast for 6G dielectric and thermal materials 2024-2045 (Millions USD)
Figure 38. Low loss materials for 6G global market, 2024-2045 (by million square meters)
Figure 39. Global 5G vs 6G thermal interface material market 2024-2045 ($ billion)
Figure 40. Pricing forecasts 2024-2044, per square meter ($)
Figure 41. Forecasts for RIS tiles, 2024-2045 (billion sq. meter)
Figure 42. Forecasts for RIS tiles, 2024-2045 (billion USD)
Figure 43. metaAIR
Figure 44.Millimeter-wave mobile network utilizing a radio-over-fiber system
Figure 45. Left) Image of beamforming using phased-array wireless device. (Right) Comparison of previously reported transmission with beamforming wireless devices and this achievement.
Figure 46. Radi-cool metamaterial film

Companies Mentioned (Partial List)

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes, but is not limited to:

Apple
Ericsson
Google
Huawei
META
Metawave
Nokia
NVIDIA
NXP Semiconductors
Pivotal Commware
Samsung
Solvay
UCSB

Methodology

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Report contents include:

Table of Contents

Companies Mentioned (Partial List)

Methodology

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