From 5G to 6G: New Chip Pushes Internet Speeds to 100 Gbps

Engineers from China and the US have achieved a major milestone in wireless technology: a prototype 6G chip that delivers internet speeds topping 100 gigabits per second (Gbps). That’s nearly ten times faster than 5G’s theoretical peak and about 500 times speedier than what most people experience today.

Collaboration Across Borders

The chip is the result of a joint effort by researchers at Peking University , the City University of Hong Kong, and the University of California, Santa Barbara. Their study was recently published in the prestigious journal Nature, highlighting this innovation as a key milestone in next-generation wireless technology.

Power in a Tiny Package

What makes this breakthrough remarkable is its size. Measuring just 11 by 1.7 millimetres, the chip can operate across an ultra-broad frequency range from 0.5 GHz to 115 GHz. Traditionally, such performance would require several separate components, but this single chip achieves it all.

The Secret Technology

At the core of the design is a novel electro-optic modulator that efficiently converts radio signals into optical signals. Paired with optoelectronic oscillators, the device can regenerate frequencies across a massive spectrum, supporting the extreme data speeds and low latency that define 6G.

Why 6G Matters

Professor Wang Xingjun of Peking University explained the importance of this leap: “As connected devices surge, next-generation networks must harness high-frequency bands like millimetre-wave and terahertz. These offer immense bandwidth and ultra-low latency, ideal for VR, metaverse experiences, and even remote surgery.”

How It Compares to 5G

Today’s 5G networks can theoretically reach 10 Gbps, but most users in countries like the US get speeds between 150 and 300 Mbps. By contrast, the new 6G chip demonstrates the potential to revolutionise connectivity-supporting ultra-HD streaming, immersive experiences, and AI-driven services without lag.

Experts believe 6G networks won’t be widely available until the 2030s, but prototypes like this are crucial in shaping the ecosystem. With global data demand skyrocketing, innovations such as this miniature chip may lay the foundation for the next wireless revolution.