Apple to commence work on 6G technology soon, hints job posting

In 2019, Apple and Qualcomm dropped all litigations against other over modem procurement and license to use them on iPhone for five years with an option to extend another two years. Later in the year, Cupertino-based company acquired majority stakes in Intel's smartphone modem business for a $1 billion dollar settlement.

The deal entailed that around 2,200 Intel employees would move to Apple, and also the latter will own more than 17,000 wireless technology patents, ranging from protocols for cellular standards to modem architecture and modem operation.

This meant Apple had no plans to extend the aforementioned agreement with Qualcomm any further. It has commenced work on developing and incorporating indigenous 5G modem technology for its products, like it designs in-house A and M series chipsets for iPhones, iPads, iPods Nano, and MacBooks, respectively.

Now, a job listing on Apple suggests that the company has already set its vision to enter the 6G era that will further enhance the technological capability of its products.

Apple is looking for a wireless research system engineer 5G/6G based out of San Diego. It is also hiring engineers with expertise on RAN1/RAN4 (Radio Access Network) standards, but at Santa Clara Valley (Cupertino).

"Wireless technologies have become a crucial part of all Apple devices that delight our customers. In our unit, we have the mission to research and develop wireless technology for next-generation radio access networks across different layers (PHY, MAC, CP, DP). We are looking for expert and highly self-motivated communication systems engineers who have a deep understanding of wireless technology used in state of the art indoor and outdoor wireless networks" reads Apple's job description.

It's been less than two years since commercial 5G cellular network service began with select developed regions around the world. And India, the world's second-biggest and the fastest mobile market in the world, has not even commenced the auction for the 5G spectrum.

With so many parts of the world still haven't seen the full potential of the 5G, there is a lot of time at hands to develop and conduct tests on the sixth generation of the cellular network, not just for Apple, but also other players such as Samsung, Nokia, Ericsson, Qualcomm, Reliance Jio and Huawei, among others.

With 5G support, mobile phones and other gadgets can support internet speeds up to 5Gbps to 10 Gbps. This is more than enough to download a full-length movie in Ultra HD within a few seconds.

And with 6G, devices will be able to deliver peak speeds up to 95 Gbps. This will have many use-cases not just for communications and wireless data transfer, but also herald a smart revolution in terms of full-fledged driverless technology in the automobile industry.

Talking of smart vehicles, Apple is widely reported that it is working on one such project (aka Project Titan) and is in talks with several car-makers for mass production. It intends to use the iPhone strategy of designing the mobiles (both the hardware and software) and offer contracts to OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) to assemble the components and package them.

The recent job offering suggests Apple is serious about becoming self-reliant on developing 5G and 6G cellular technology for its products and we may see the results by the end of this decade if not early.

Must read | Apple confirms to buy Intel's mobile modem business

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