The telecommunications sector does not stand still. While 5G continues to expand and develop its full potential, the industry is already looking towards the next great revolution: 6G. This technology promises to overcome current limits, ushering in the TeraHertz era and taking connection speeds to unprecedented levels. This qualitative leap will necessitate a profound transformation of the digital infrastructure. Data centres, as the hearts of global processing, and optical fibre, as the network’s backbone, are the key components that must be prepared today to sustain tomorrow’s demands.

6G: the transformation of processing and connectivity demand

6G is not simply a faster version of 5G; it is a paradigm shift that will enable new capabilities and ubiquitous connectivity for the so-called “Internet of Intelligence”. 6G is expected to offer speeds that could reach the TeraHertz (THz), the unit representing one trillion cycles per second.  

This new reality will generate massive connectivity and processing demand, completely transforming the relationship between devices and the network: 

Distributed artificial intelligence

6G will allow AI to be embedded in every element of the network, enabling ultra-fast decision-making and much more complex automation, from advanced robotics to holographic telepresence. 

Massive connectivity and sensors 

The capacity to connect millions of devices per square kilometre will drive the development of fully sensorised cities and factories, generating an exponential volume of data that must be transported and processed without latency. 

Advanced immersive experiences 

6G is the foundation for Extended Reality (XR) experiences, which combine Virtual and Augmented Reality with hyper-realistic quality, demanding constant bandwidth and near-zero latency. 

The need for a robust optical fibre infrastructure for 6G backhaul 

For 6G technology to deliver the promised TeraHertz speeds in the front-haul (the final connection to the user), a backhaul infrastructure (the connection from antennas and base stations to the main network) capable of absorbing and transporting that data flow is needed.  

This is where optical fibre reasserts itself as the only viable solution. Its practically unlimited capacity, high reliability, and inherent low latency make it the essential transport channel for the 6G network. Without a dense and robust optical fibre network acting as the backbone, 6G speed would be quickly throttled, limiting its benefits locally. 

Traffic absorption 

Optical fibre is necessary for 6G base stations to efficiently manage the massive traffic generated by THz applications. 

Support for Edge Computing 

Optical fibre is vital for the interconnection between base stations and Edge Computing micro data centres, which are indispensable for 6G to process data close to its source with the required minimal latency. 

How will 6G affect data centres? 

Data centres are both the main beneficiaries and the main challengers of 6G. The increase in speed and data volume will impact three key areas: 

Capacity and power requirements 

Data centres will have to multiply their processing and storage capacity to handle the torrent of data that will arrive from the 6G network. This implies continuous investment in DWDM network equipment and ultra-fast interconnection systems. 

Greater decentralisation (Edge Computing)

For 6G’s low latency to be effective, processing must be brought closer to the user. This will drive the growth of the Edge Computing network, turning data centres from large central fortresses into a “galaxy” of distributed nodes, highly interconnected by optical fibre. 

Efficiency and sustainability

The massive increase in energy demand for AI processing and 6G traffic will force data centres to prioritise the ‘green kilowatt’, implementing more efficient cooling solutions and renewable energy sources to maintain their growth sustainably. 

lyntia, preparing the ground for the TeraHertz era

The transition to the TeraHertz era with 6G is an imminent reality that will demand seamless infrastructure. Data centres and optical fibre are the pillars that will sustain this next revolution. At lyntia, we are committed to deploying and operating the optical fibre network and the low-latency interconnections necessary for our customers to take full advantage of 6G speeds and capabilities, ensuring that the infrastructure of the future is as smart and fast as the Internet of Intelligence will demand.