Apple’s recent recruitment for a Cellular Platform Architect focusing on 6G technology highlights the company’s forward-thinking approach in the telecom sector. This move comes amidst Apple’s ongoing efforts in 5G development, signaling a broader strategy that aligns with the industry’s decade-long cycles of innovation.
The telecom industry operates on approximately 10-year intervals for introducing new technology generations. This pattern, established over decades, involves extensive investments in infrastructure, from antenna towers to network operations, encompassing a wide range of devices beyond just mobile phones.
A critical player in this process is the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), which has been instrumental in coordinating the development of new mobile technologies since the 1990s. The 3GPP’s role extends to creating specifications for everything from core network operations to Radio Access Networks, ensuring a unified approach to deploying mobile communications globally.
Every 10 years, this body, along with key industry stakeholders, introduces a new generation of technology, with 3G debuting in the early 2000s, followed by 4G in 2009, and 5G networks emerging in 2018.
The progression of these networks includes the periodic sunsetting of older networks to make room for new advancements.
For instance, 3G networks in the United States were shut down in 2022 to facilitate improved 5G coverage. These generational shifts typically last around two decades, gradually giving way to more advanced technologies already being implemented.
Under the guidance of the 3GPP, significant strides have been made in 5G technology, with the introduction of four major releases since 2017.
The current focus, 5G Advanced, aims to enhance service continuity, reliability, speed, and latency. These improvements not only refine existing 5G services, but also lay the groundwork for the next leap in mobile communication: 6G.
Expected to offer speeds up to 100 times faster than 5G, 6G represents a significant technological leap.
Apple’s involvement in these advancements is evident in its collaboration with GlobalStar to build a worldwide network of ground stations, a project rooted in a 3GPP specification from early 2020.
This initiative culminated in the iPhone 14’s “Emergency SOS via Satellite” feature, illustrating the multi-year journey from specification to implementation.
Recognizing the lengthy development timeline in telecom, Apple has been actively hiring 6G talent, even though 6G specifications are still being formulated.
The company’s early engagement in 6G discussions, as a founding member of the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS), alongside other tech giants, underscores its commitment to staying ahead in the telecom industry.
This strategic approach ensures Apple is well-prepared to leverage emerging technologies as they become available.
