Recently, various countries of the world have started preparing for SixG along with the development and expansion of 5G technology in mobile internet. In the meeting of Asia Pacific Telecommunication Wireless Group (AWG) held in Nepal for the first time in South Asia, participating countries informed about the experience of 5G technology and preparations for 6G.

In one session of the program held this week, various countries held a workshop and discussed the current situation and challenges of 5G along with the potential and preparation of 6G. In the discussion, the representatives of Japan, Vietnam, Korea, India and Nepal shared their country's experience and gave their views on spectrum management, infrastructure construction, policy and investment.

While Nepal mentions the 5G test experience and obstacles due to lack of private sector investment, Vietnam presents the rapid expansion achieved in 5G, spectrum auction and enthusiastic participation of users. 

South Korea said that it is focusing on strategic planning and research on the preparation of SixG and emphasized the possibility of expanding the technology-based economy. Out of the 5G expansion in India in 2022, 250 million people are currently using 5G. Japan, which is also the coordinator of the IMT 2030 (SixG) study committee under the Asia Pacific Telecommunication Community, has said that it is studying the basic technology infrastructure required for SixG. 

In Nepal, in 2023, government-owned Nepal Telecom was provided a frequency in the 2600 MHz band for testing 5G technology, but its full implementation has not yet been completed. Pradeep Paudyal, deputy director of Nepal Telecommunication Authority, said that wireless technology is suitable considering Nepal's geographical diversity and complexity. 

"Due to the high cost and lack of sustainable business model, our service provider has been reluctant to invest in 5G," he said, "but the government has considered 5G and other technologies important for Nepal's digital transformation through the Digital Nepal framework." In such a situation, the government may have to find a way to facilitate infrastructure development by providing spectrum fee discounts or concessions.'  Paudyal said that the authority is expanding digital infrastructure through initiatives like 'National Information Super Highway'. He said that 700, 2300, 2600 and 3500 MHz and 26 GHz bands are available. Preparations are being made to start 5G by closing the 3G service gradually. We expect to reach 40 percent of users by 2030,' he said, 'however, the readiness to go to 5G is related to the average income of the country and the competitive ability of the telecommunication sector.'  In the

program, Vietnam has made rapid progress in 5G technology and said that the spectrum of 700 MHz band will soon be made available to service providers through auction.

"So far, three service providers have received spectrum for 5G," said Ha Long Bui, director of Vietnam's Radio Frequency Management Authority. "Two of them started service last year." The third launched 5G last month. In Vietnam, 5G was used by 10 percent of users within three months.' 

By 2030, the goal is to reach 50 percent of 5G access and 99.8 percent of 4G access, said Bui. He concluded that this technology will bring a big change, especially in the healthcare and transportation sectors of Vietnam. Vietnam expects 5G technology to contribute 30 percent to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030. "Currently, the Vietnamese government is providing financial support to accelerate the expansion of 5G," said Bui, "the use of domestically manufactured O-Ran network equipment is encouraged." 

South Korea said in the program that with the successful use of 5G, preparations for 6G have been strongly advanced. "We have been using 5G as a basic infrastructure for electric vehicles and high-tech vehicles," said Jaewo Lim of the Radio Research Laboratory under the Ministry of Communications of South Korea.