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Today we're going to talk about 6G📶
6G, or the sixth generation of mobile networks. If 5G gave us fast internet and myths about killer towers, then 6G will raise the bar📡

Imagine data transfer speeds of up to 100 Gbps — that's hundreds of times faster than 5G! 6G will integrate AI, terahertz waves, and satellites. Standards are already being developed (thanks, 3GPP!), and the first commercial networks are expected by 2030. Europe, with its telecom giants Nokia and Ericsson, is actively participating in the race, but the US (with FutureG and DARPA projects) and China (with Huawei) are not far behind🧩

6G operates on terahertz waves — frequencies ranging from 100 GHz to 10 THz, which transmit data so fast that 5G nervously smokes on the sidelines.
But there is one small nuance: it doesn't work well in practice, as these waves don't pass through walls very well😓, so dense networks with lots of small antennas (massive MIMO) are needed. Traffic and security management is handled by AI, which distributes the data. Quantum encryption is also used to protect communications. 6G also has blockchain, which is needed for transparency: blockchain records who uses the network and how. Satellites are connected to provide coverage in remote areas, and RIS (smart reflective surfaces) technology helps direct signals where walls interfere.

But, as you can imagine, it's not all sunshine and rainbows, and 6G has a huge attack surface that is currently being actively studied🔓

For example, there are current threats related to the growing number of connected devices. 6G promises to connect a multitude of IoT devices. Each such device is a potential entry point for attackers. Hack one sensor in the power grid and the city is without power. Add to this the use of terahertz frequencies, which transmit data quickly but are vulnerable to local interception or jamming due to their limited range. Another headache is artificial intelligence: attackers can feed it fake data, and it will start directing traffic to nowhere. Quantum computers (still a long way off) could destroy cryptography, such as RSA, to smithereens. Don't forget the risks associated with decentralization. Processing data at the edge of the network, close to devices, reduces latency but makes these nodes an easy target for attacks, especially if they are not sufficiently protected. Attacks on the supply chain, such as the introduction of hardware Trojans, also pose a serious threat, given the complexity of manufacturing 6G equipment. Finally, scenarios such as digital twin spoofing or interference with robots can have certain consequences.

But there is no shortage of protection — developers are already coming up with ways to deal with threats🛡

They are creating cryptography that can withstand quantum attacks. Post-quantum cryptography uses complex mathematical problems to keep data secure (although some algorithms could use some refinement against conventional threats). Quantum key distribution makes encryption unbreakable; any attempt at interception is immediately noticeable. For devices such as IoT sensors, encryption algorithms are being developed that do not require powerful hardware.
AI also helps: it searches for suspicious behavior in real time, checks data, and blocks attacks. Blockchain removes weak links, and smart contracts automatically control access, reducing the risk of errors. For terahertz waves, jamming technologies are used to prevent signal interception. Devices receive unique “fingerprints” so that they cannot be counterfeited.

Personally, I am still a little skeptical about 6G: it seems to me that they want to cram a bunch of hyped technologies into it that may not work as intended in practice. But it seems that this technology is being actively developed, so let's see what happens next🔑

If you want to learn more about 6G architecture, its security, check the archive, which contains articles that will help you learn more❤️🛠

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