The Convergence of the Physical and Digital Worlds: vivo’s Vision for a 6G World
In the communication industry, vivo has made a name for itself as a company known for its unique and creative inventions. Vivo continuously makes sure that its new business endeavours are in line with its Benfen concept, which aspires to benefit society. In keeping with this tradition, vivo has led the way in developing 5G technology and applications to give customers a seamless mobile user experience.
Additionally, looking farther into the future, vivo has already started working on 6G technology, releasing its third 6G white paper for the same in July 2022. Ms. Rizwana Omer spoke with Mr. Rakesh Tamrakar, a 5G Standard Expert at vivo, in order to acquire a thorough understanding of 6G technology, its advancement for the future, and vivo’s participation in these advances.
What precisely is 6G, and how does it vary from 5G?
5G’s launch marked a turning point in the development of the digital sphere by enabling greater connectivity, better bandwidths, and lower latency. Additionally, it helped mobile communications reach industrial applications. We innovators are constantly looking for ways to make things more effective and seamless. As a result, it was only natural to investigate 6G innovation and learn about its potential to establish a link between the physical and digital worlds. In the simplest terms, 6G mobile data services will provide enhanced capacity, data rate, latency, dependability, and flexibility, satisfying the diverse needs of users. At a higher level, 6G service initiatives aim to provide instant connectivity everywhere, universal digitization,
And deep intelligence, so promoting the long-term growth of civilization.
Unmanned aerial vehicles, high altitude platforms, and satellites are just a few of the airborne and spaceborne platforms that 6G envisage using to build non-terrestrial networks in three dimensions. If so, how precisely will that operate?
The physical and digital worlds will intersect in a 6G future. The creation of non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) is essential to achieving this objective since it will support the creation of all-encompassing and high-capacity connectivity. Infrastructures that are not terrestrial are intended to supplement terrestrial ones. This will give busy and unconnected locations on-demand coverage. Given all the advantages of such a technology, its advancement will increase the range of potential applications. However, research in this area is still in its infancy.
And in order to create a proper network design for the same, certain questions must be addressed.
What advancements in 6G technology has vivo made so far?
For the purpose of advancing research on 5G technology and related standardisation, the vivo Communications Research Institute was founded in 2016. The next stage has been to start analysing and evaluating the application of 6G technology and network services, as well as the business models for doing so and the system architecture needed to carry it out. The third 6G white paper, titled “Building a Freely Connected Physical and Digital Integrated World: 6G Services, Capabilities and Enabling Technologies,” was just released by vivo in keeping with this objective. Based on two previous works published in 2020, the “Digital Life 2030+” report and the “6G Vision, Requirements, and Challenges” report. We have advanced from laying out vivo’s vision for 6G and outlining the potential uses for it to investigating a full 6G framework and associated enabling technologies. The integration of the physical and digital worlds is the overall aim of these initiatives.
The technological landscape is always changing. What might the 6G future look like and what technologies would be required to get there?
The transition to 6G is an effort to expand the realm of communication beyond the boundaries of fundamental functionality. The goal is to dream big and democratise access to digital luxuries and cutting-edge services like immersive extended reality (XR), holographic telepresence, and multi-sensory interconnection. Another effective implementation of In addition to its other fundamental information services like wireless sensing and improved network information provision, 6G will have the potential to gather public information on industries. That is how the 6G world will look. New network functions must be created to better integrate sensing and communication in order to provide 6G services. A new architecture design will be needed for 6G because it will combine mobile networks and computation, cross-domain data exchange, and AI networks.
What does Vivo have in mind with 6G? What role does vivo want to play in the confluence of the digital and physical worlds made possible by 6G?
According to vivo’s most recent 6G white paper, 6G will increase communication speed, make information more accessible, and integrate computer services and sensors.An integrated, one system. A new digital era will materialise thanks to vivo’s vision of 6G as a web connecting people to people, then machines to machines, and lastly people to machines. This digital age will ensure a connected physical and digital world by combining 6G services with AI (Artificial Intelligence) capabilities and enabling technologies. Industries, transportation, workspaces, and homes will all be seamlessly connected. The purpose of vivo is to provide a bridge between the physical and digital worlds. It is a company dedicated to the development and marketing of intelligent services. Therefore, vivo will be in the front, paving the way for a connected and sustainable society. At the centre of these initiatives, the vivo Communications Research Institute conducts the research Although we are not giving up on 5G, we are making sure that it has a future. Our aim as innovators is to create the future and, as a result, to plan for it in advance.
What are the main obstacles to 5G’s technological development?
Despite major advancements in the development of 5G technology, there are still a number of obstacles that prevent its implementation. Spectrum allotment and costs are two issues that need to be addressed. High spectrum usage is necessary for 5G, hence expenses must be kept to a minimum. The presence of appropriate infrastructure, such as towers and antenna, is essential for facilitating interconnectivity and ensuring 5G distribution. These are some of the fundamental prerequisites needed to guarantee a thorough covering of the network of 5G. In addition to this, innovation and technical proficiency are essential.
What are some of vivo’s most important 5G connection advancements for the mobile industry?
In 2016, vivo Communications Research Institute, a designated Research & Development centre for 5G technology and standardisation, was established. vivo has been a pioneer in the development of 5G technologies. This investment not only gave vivo’s 5G ambitions a huge boost, but it also gave researchers the ideal starting point for their 6G research. As of October 2020, vivo has submitted more over 4,000 5G concepts to the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) organisation and had applied for more than 2,000 5G patents. A variety of 5G mobile phones have been made available by vivo to its customers, with the promise of an enjoyable 5G experience. In order to guarantee equal access to cutting-edge technology and incorporate 5G use into consumers’ daily lives, it has successfully created 19 phones with 5G compatibility at various pricing points. The goal of vivo has always been to add value to society, and by leading 5G initiatives in nations like Sri Lanka, it has demonstrated its commitment to this goal.
Pakistan is a long way from being the first country in the world to use 5G technology. Where, in your view, are we falling short, and what needs to be done?
To lay the groundwork for the introduction of 5G in Pakistan, the country has launched a number of projects. In order to implement 5G, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has created a framework for policy. by April 2023 or December 2022. In five important Pakistani cities—Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, and Quetta—5G would be introduced gradually, according to the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications (MoITT). For the same purpose, a spectrum advisory council has also been established. A number of challenges, including a low return on investment, limited discretionary income, coverage area, energy availability, and affordable 5G handsets, must be overcome in order to hasten the adoption of 5G in Pakistan. However, Pakistan is a sizable market with significant room for economic expansion and vibrant metropolitan areas, all of which are favourable for the development of 5G.
What future plans does vivo have for Pakistan?
Vivo has been working diligently to integrate the Pakistani smartphone market. its network. We have built a number of local production bases to deliver global technologies to local consumers in order to achieve a seamless and comprehensive convergence. Vivo also launched online services throughout the lockdown to provide a secure user experience. The company has effectively built an enormous offline network in Pakistan since its entry, with 9200+ retail outlets and 18 exclusive service facilities. The introduction of vivo’s premium V and X series into Pakistan demonstrates the company’s dedication to developing Pakistan’s technology infrastructure. Vivo intends to more fully integrate into Pakistan, go beyond simple local absorption, and serve as a link to the rapidly developing technological globe.
