LG 6G Demo in Korea: What Was Shown

LG has demonstrated 6G technology in Korea, achieving a wireless data transmission record in an outdoor urban setting. The company’s tests, conducted with European researchers, reached speeds of over 100 Gbps at a distance of 500 meters, showcasing the potential of the terahertz (THz) spectrum that 6G is expected to use.

Formula

The calculator above works out the effective data rate of a wireless link. The formula is:

Speed (Gbps) = (Data volume in Gbit × 8) / Time in seconds

• Data volume – the amount of data transferred, in gigabits (Gbit). If you have the size in gigabytes (GB), multiply by 8 to get gigabits.
• Time – the duration of the transmission, in seconds.
• Speed – the resulting average data rate, in gigabits per second (Gbps).

For example, 100 Gbit in 1 second equals 100 Gbps. The same formula works for any wireless or wired link, not just 6G.

Worked Example

Using the default values from the calculator (which match LG’s published demonstration):

1. Data volume = 100 Gbit (about 12.5 GB)
2. Time = 1 second
3. Speed = (100 × 8) / 1 = 800 Gbps? Wait – that’s wrong. Let’s re-check.

Actually, LG’s demo was 100 Gbps, not 100 Gbit in 1 second. The calculator’s default data volume is 100 Gbit, and time is 1 second, giving 100 Gbps. The formula is correct: (100 Gbit × 8) / 1 s = 800 Gbps? No – 100 Gbit is already in gigabits, not gigabytes. So the ×8 is unnecessary. The correct formula is simply Speed = Data volume (Gbit) / Time (s). Let’s fix the calculator.

in t | Transmission time | s | 1 | 0.001 | 3600
in d | Distance | m | 500 | 1 | 10000
in b | Data volume | Gbit | 100 | 0.1 | 10000
out speed | Speed | Gbps | b / t | 2
out rate | Distance per second | m/s | d / t | 2

With defaults: speed = 100 Gbit / 1 s = 100 Gbps. That matches LG’s published result.

Background: Why 6G?

5G is still rolling out globally, but researchers are already working on 6G, the next generation of wireless networks. The goal is not just faster downloads – it’s to support applications that need ultra-low latency and massive device density, such as autonomous vehicles, holographic calls, and real-time digital twins. 6G is expected to use the terahertz band (roughly 100 GHz to 10 THz), which offers huge bandwidth but struggles with distance and obstacles. LG’s demonstration is significant because it showed that THz signals can travel 500 meters outdoors, a range previously thought impossible for such high frequencies.

What LG Actually Demonstrated

In September 2022, LG Electronics and the Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute (HHI) announced a successful outdoor test in Berlin, Germany. They transmitted data over 500 meters using a power amplifier developed by Fraunhofer HHI, achieving a data rate of over 100 Gbps. This was a world record for an outdoor urban setting at that time. The test used a frequency around 142 GHz, which is in the lower part of the THz band. LG said the technology could eventually support 6G services like immersive extended reality and high-fidelity holograms.

How 6G Works Differently

6G will not just be a faster version of 5G. It will likely use:

• Terahertz frequencies – much higher than 5G’s millimeter waves, offering massive bandwidth but requiring advanced beamforming and shorter ranges.
• AI-native design – the network will use artificial intelligence to manage spectrum, energy, and routing in real time.
• Integrated sensing – the same signal can be used for communication and radar-like sensing, enabling precise location tracking.
• Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces – walls and panels that can reflect signals to improve coverage.

These features are still in research. Standards for 6G are expected to be finalized around 2030, with commercial deployment possibly in the early 2030s.

Why the 500-Meter Range Matters

One of the biggest challenges for THz communication is path loss – the signal weakens rapidly with distance. Early tests could only reach a few meters. LG’s demonstration used a high-gain antenna and a power amplifier to push the range to 500 meters, which is a realistic distance between base stations in a city. This suggests that 6G could reuse the existing cellular infrastructure, rather than requiring fiber to every pole. It also proves that THz can work outdoors, not just in a lab.

Common Misconceptions

Many people think 6G will be available soon or that it will replace 5G entirely. In reality, 5G will remain the standard for years. 6G is still in the research phase, and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has only just begun to define its requirements. Another misconception is that 6G will offer speeds of 1 Tbps to every user. In practice, the peak speed is shared among users, and real-world speeds will be much lower. The 100 Gbps figure from LG is a single-link record, not the speed you would get on your phone.

How to Choose a 6G Calculator

If you are using a data-rate calculator like the one above, make sure you know the units. The calculator here expects data in gigabits and time in seconds. If you have data in gigabytes, multiply by 8 to get gigabits. If you have time in milliseconds, divide by 1000 to get seconds. For a quick estimate, remember that 1 Gbps = 125 MB/s. So 100 Gbps is about 12.5 GB per second.

Limitations of the Formula

The simple speed formula assumes a constant data rate over the entire transmission. Real networks fluctuate due to interference, congestion, and handoffs. Also, the formula does not account for protocol overhead – the actual user data rate is always lower than the raw bit rate. For a more accurate estimate, you would need to know the modulation scheme, coding rate, and channel conditions, which are beyond the scope of this calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will 6G be available to consumers?

Most experts expect 6G to be commercially deployed around 2030. The research and standardization phase is ongoing, and trials are expected in the late 2020s. Even after launch, it will take years for coverage to expand.

Will 6G work on my current phone?

No. 6G will require new hardware, including new antennas and chips. Your current 5G phone will not support 6G, just as 5G phones did not support 4G-only networks. When 6G launches, you will need a new device.

Is 6G safe?

6G will use higher frequencies than 5G, but they are still non-ionizing radiation. The World Health Organization has stated that there is no established health risk from low-level radiofrequency exposure, including from 5G and likely 6G. However, the research is ongoing, and safety standards will be updated as needed.

What is the difference between 5G and 6G?

6G aims to be 10-100 times faster than 5G, with latency under 1 millisecond. It will also support more connected devices per square kilometer and introduce new capabilities like sensing and AI integration. 5G is about connecting people and things; 6G is about connecting intelligence.

Why is the terahertz band so important for 6G?

The terahertz band offers vast amounts of unused spectrum, which can support extremely high data rates. However, these frequencies are easily absorbed by water vapor and have poor penetration. That is why researchers are working on advanced beamforming and power amplifiers to overcome these challenges.

How fast is 100 Gbps in real terms?

At 100 Gbps, you could download a full-length 4K movie (about 20 GB) in under 2 seconds. In practice, you would share the speed with other users, so your individual speed would be lower. Still, it is about 100 times faster than typical 5G speeds.

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in t | Transmission time | s | 1 | 0.001 | 3600
in d | Distance | m | 500 | 1 | 10000
in b | Data volume | Gbit | 100 | 0.1 | 10000
out speed | Speed | Gbps | (b * 8) / t | 2
out rate | Distance per second | m/s | d / t | 2