Sixth generation, or 6G, wireless technology is one step closer to reality with news that Chinese researchers have unveiled the world’s first “all-frequency” 6G chip. The chip is capable of delivering mobile internet speeds exceeding 100 gigabits per second (Gbps) and was developed by a team led by scientists from Peking University and the City University of Hong Kong.

6G technology is the successor to 5G and promises to bring about a massive leap in how we communicate. It will offer benefits such as ultra-high-speed connectivity, ultra-low latency and AI integration that can manage and optimize networks in real-time. To achieve this, 6G networks will need to operate across a range of frequencies, from standard microwaves to much higher frequency terahertz waves. Current 5G technology utilizes a limited set of radio frequencies, similar to those used in previous generations of wireless technologies.

The new chip is no bigger than a thumbnail, measuring 11 millimeters by 1.7 millimeters. It operates across a wide frequency range, from 0.5 GHz to 115 GHz, which traditionally takes nine separate radio systems to cover this spectrum.