New Developments in 6G Infrastructure and Antenna Hardware

The 5G to 6G Transition: A Global Shift

6G is expected to achieve data transmission rates up to 100 times faster than 5G, enabling true "Internet of Everything" (IoE) ecosystems, immersive holographic communications, and AI-driven automation across industries. This requires major advancements in wireless hardware, semiconductors, antenna technologies, energy storage, and optical systems—domains where Taiwanese manufacturers excel.

What 6G Infrastructure and Antenna Hardware Entails

6G infrastructure refers to the physical and digital backbone that supports sixth-generation mobile networks. It includes:

• High-frequency base stations using mmWave and THz frequencies

• Edge computing nodes for localized data processing

• AI-driven network optimization systems

Antenna hardware developments focus on:

• Massive MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output) systems to handle high data throughput

• Beamforming technologies for directional signal transmission

• Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) that dynamically shape signal paths

• Metamaterial antennas and compact, multi-band antennas for wearable and embedded devices

Real-World Applications

Smart Cities – In urban environments, 6G antennas will enable real-time data exchange between infrastructure and devices, enhancing traffic management, energy efficiency, and public safety. For instance, adaptive antenna systems can dynamically adjust signal patterns to accommodate fluctuating network demands in densely populated areas. Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) and AI-integrated antenna systems allow for self-adjusting networks that improve coverage and reduce power consumption.

Industrial IoT – 6G antennas will support massive device connectivity, ensuring reliable communication for applications ranging from industrial automation to healthcare monitoring. In factories and logistics hubs, they will facilitate synchronized machine communication and edge AI deployment.

Autonomous Vehicles and Systems – Autonomous vehicles, drones, and robots rely on instantaneous data transmission for navigation and safety. 6G antenna technology will provide the ultra-low latency and high reliability required for vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, facilitating seamless coordination among vehicles and infrastructure.

Holographic Communications – Real-time 3D interaction will require antennas that support terabit-per-second data rates with near-zero latency.

Taiwan’s Strategic Advantages

Taiwan's manufacturing strengths align perfectly with the hardware needs of 6G, offering:

Advanced Semiconductor Fabrication: Led by TSMC and UMC, Taiwan is the world’s powerhouse for cutting-edge chips critical to 5G and 6G devices. TSMC is the world’s largest and most advanced chip foundry, producing 3nm chips and developing 2nm process technologies essential for ultra-high-speed data processing. 6G will demand chips with higher transistor densities, lower power consumption, and improved thermal management—all areas where TSMC leads globally.

Precision Optics and Photonics: 6G’s immersive applications will require ultra-high-resolution sensors and optics to deliver seamless user experiences. Companies like Largan Precision supply camera lenses essential for AR/VR systems, which are expected to become integral to the 6G ecosystem. Largan currently dominates high-end lens production for smartphones, AR/VR devices, and autonomous systems.

PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards): 6G’s extremely high-frequency bands (mmWave and THz) require low-loss, high-performance circuit boards—a specialty of Unimicron Technology Corporation. Unimicron is one of the world’s leading PCB suppliers, particularly in high-frequency communication boards. 

Government Initiatives

Taiwan's government has approved a five-year funding plan focused on advancing key technologies in non-terrestrial networks (NTN), aiming to launch its 6G commercial trial network in 2028. These resilient, high-capacity communication systems will support emerging applications such as autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and immersive virtual experiences. Taiwan is also exploring the integration of satellite systems into its communication infrastructure to ensure continuity and resilience. Chunghwa Telecom's collaboration with Astranis to launch Taiwan's first dedicated satellite for network resilience exemplifies this strategic direction.

Antenna Manufacturers Driving Taiwan’s 6G Innovation

Several forward-thinking Taiwanese companies are actively innovating 6G-ready components and building strategic collaborations to accelerate next-generation network deployment.

TMYTEK

TMYTEK (Taiwan Millimeter Wave Technologies) specializes in mmWave and reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) technologies. Their products, such as frequency converters and the XRifle RIS Developer Kit, support development in the 26–100 GHz range—making them foundational to 6G systems.

KINSUN Industries Inc.

KINSUN manufactures robust RF connectors and waterproof antennas for IoT and telecom use. With certifications like IATF 16949 and ISO 9001, KINSUN’s customized mmWave and sub-THz solutions are well-suited for smart cities and industrial deployments.

Evercom Communication Technology Co., Ltd.

Evercom designs compact, multi-band antennas for mobile and GPS systems, and is now expanding into THz-band technologies for early-stage 6G and IoT devices. Their focus on scalable, export-ready solutions makes them ideal for 6G pilot programs.

Rapidtek Technologies Inc.

Rapidtek develops Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) antennas for 5G/6G, non-terrestrial networks (NTN), LEO satellites, and automotive radar. Their active beamforming technologies support high-performance connectivity across diverse advanced applications.

Business Opportunities and Investment Trends

The global 6G technology market is projected to grow significantly, with estimates reaching USD 14.94 billion by 2030 and a CAGR of 43.98%. Companies like TMYTEK, KINSUN, and Evercom are already laying the groundwork by offering scalable, innovative, and export-ready solutions that address both immediate and long-term needs of the global 6G ecosystem—particularly in antennas and base station components—meeting the rising demand for next-generation communication technologies.