China has taken a new step in the race for leadership in future communications technologies. Scientists from Peking University and City University of Hong Kong have developed the world’s first universal 6G chip, which is capable of delivering data transfer speeds of over 100 Gbps and operating at any frequency in the range from 0.5 to 115 GHz. This was reported by the South China Morning Post and Interesting Engineering, citing a publication in Nature magazine.
The finger-sized device (11×1.7 mm) allows you to download, for example, a 50 GB 8K video in a matter of seconds.
The modem uses a photon-electron architecture, which allows different frequency bands to be combined into a single system.
The development solves a key problem for future 6G networks: spectrum fragmentation. Currently, equipment is created separately for “low,” “medium,” and “millimeter” frequencies, which complicates implementation. The new chip is universal and can be used both in rural areas (for low-frequency coverage) and in megacities (for ultra-fast connections at high frequencies).
Prototypes that transmitted data at a speed of 100 Gbit/s over limited distances were previously demonstrated in Japan, and an experimental 6G network was launched in China in 2024. However, it is the Chinese universal modem that has covered the entire frequency range for the first time, making it unique.
The next step is to integrate the technology into compact USB-format modules and adapt it for smartphones, base stations, and Internet of Things devices. This will bring us closer to the mass adoption of 6G, which experts expect in the 2030s.
China is cementing its leadership in 6G development by offering the world a unique solution that could change the landscape of mobile technology. The breakthrough universal modem opens up opportunities for a digital revolution — from medicine to the entertainment industry.
