6G speed just got real—at least in the lab. Researchers at University College London recently achieved experimental wireless speeds of 938 Gbps, which is about 9,000 times faster than the average real-world 5G speed in the UK (~100 Mbps).
While these numbers are staggering, it’s important to note that the test was conducted under ideal lab conditions. Real-world results could be significantly lower. Still, “the experiment shows what’s possible when advanced electronics and photonics come together to maximize the spectrum”, the team said.
Inside the technology: From 5 GHz to 150 GHz
To hit those extreme speeds, the research team combined high-speed digital-to-analog converters and optoelectronic methods using lasers and photodiodes. The system covered a frequency range from 5 GHz up to 150 GHz, making use of both the W-band (75–110 GHz) and D-band (110–150 GHz).
This wide coverage allowed them to use orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) and bit loading to transmit at 938 Gb/s with less than 300 MHz frequency gap.
This approach solves one of the core challenges of high-frequency wireless communication: generating synchronized carrier signals over a broad range. The team achieved this using frequency-locked lasers referenced to a common quartz oscillator—improving phase stability and reducing noise.
What this means for future wireless networks
The next-generation radio access network (RAN) is expected to demand transmission speeds above 100 Gb/s to connect access points and hubs. These kinds of breakthroughs could make that a reality, especially if they can be scaled beyond controlled lab setups.
“The real test will be whether these technologies can operate in dense urban environments, not just ideal lab settings,” said a lead engineer involved in the project.
This level of 6G speed would enable near-instantaneous data transfer for applications like autonomous vehicles, smart cities, AR/VR, and real-time remote surgery.
So, how far are we from real 6G?
Despite this success, we’re still years away from actual consumer-level 6G speed. Most experts expect 6G to be commercially available around 2030. Until then, more practical trials will be needed to test how these technologies perform in real-world environments.
In the meantime, discussions around 6G internet speed are growing in both industry and academia. While the lab tests are exciting, bridging the gap to usable infrastructure is the next major hurdle. Governments and telecom giants will need to invest heavily in new hardware, spectrum allocation, and global standards to support this evolution.
The bottom line: Promise with caveats
The headline number—938 Gbps—is undeniably impressive. But it’s a theoretical maximum in perfect conditions. That doesn’t mean it isn’t important; it means we should stay grounded while staying excited.
The research demonstrates how close collaboration between electronics and photonics could unleash a new wireless era. If commercial systems reach even a fraction of that 6G internet speed, it could still dramatically outperform today’s networks.
“We’re witnessing the early foundation of what could become a global 6G infrastructure,” said a UCL professor leading the study.
Reference source: IEEE Xplore
