Samsung will be a small player in 5G networks, but it aims to change that with 6G as it begins research on the next generation.

The Korean behemoth will be hoping to get the jump in 6G over established heavyweights like Nokia and Ericsson.

Samsung's 6G research is based in the company's home country of Seoul at the Advanced Communications Research Center.

“The current team on telecommunications technology standards has been expanded to start leading research on the 6G network,” a Samsung spokesperson told The Korea Herald.

Early predictions expect speeds of 1Tbps from 6G. While few applications require such blistering speeds today, who knows what's going to be needed in around six years (given the approximate gap between 4G and 5G).

Naturally, we shouldn't expect 6G anytime soon – it's going to be some time before 5G even reaches mass saturation in most countries.

Although somewhat debated who launched first, South Korea is thought to have switched on the first commercial 5G network earlier this year. If it did launch 5G first, South Korea was very closely followed by the US.

Samsung's competitors likely also have at least small teams dedicated to 6G research, but it's good to see the firm plant a flag this early.

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