Researchers from China and the United States have unveiled a new compact 6G chip that could dramatically transform future mobile networks. This experimental chip, which measures less than half an inch, is designed to support ultra-fast data speeds — possibly up to 10,000 times faster than current 5G standards.
The project’s developers say this innovation could play a key role in closing the digital divide, especially in rural and remote areas that still lack reliable high-speed internet. The chip is capable of transmitting data at more than 100 gigabits per second, significantly faster than the average download speeds most smartphone users experience today.
In early 2025, 5G speeds in the U.S. topped out at just under 300 megabits per second, showing how far current technology remains from the potential this new chip may offer.
New 6G chip could power AI, remote sensing, and rural coverage
One of the standout features of the chip is its ability to work across a wide range of wireless frequencies, from very low to extremely high. This makes it suitable for a broad range of uses — from everyday smartphone activity to more demanding tasks such as artificial intelligence processing and remote sensing operations.
According to Wang Xingjun, a senior researcher at Peking University and the study’s lead author, the chip operates much like a multi-lane expressway. Different types of data can travel simultaneously, switching lanes — or frequency bands — depending on traffic conditions. This kind of dynamic performance could be essential for next-generation devices that must operate smoothly across various frequencies.
The technology’s ability to shift seamlessly between bands offers a solution to a longstanding problem in the telecom world: current hardware often needs several different parts to cover the full wireless spectrum. That makes 6G deployment expensive and technically complex.
Published in the journal Nature on Aug. 27, the study details how the team was able to merge these functions into a single chip by using a dual electro-optic system. The device transforms wireless signals into light-based ones, allowing them to be processed with greater speed and accuracy. Tunable components then manage the signal across the full range of radio frequencies.
New materials, stable connections, and a long road ahead
Rather than using traditional materials, researchers turned to thin-film lithium niobate — a material known for its ability to support high bandwidth while keeping delays to a minimum. This choice was critical in building a chip that not only delivers fast speeds but also performs consistently in crowded or high-demand environments.
This adaptability could help prevent network congestion during large-scale events or in densely populated areas, an issue that continues to plague current 5G networks.
While the chip’s early results show promise, experts caution that actual deployment remains years away. Rolling out a 6G network that fully supports this technology will require large-scale investment, global cooperation, and time.
Still, researchers are optimistic. The new 6G chip’s design could simplify future wireless systems, reduce costs, and expand high-speed internet access to places that need it most.