Скачать или смотреть Huawei has quietly secured the top spot for 6G patent applications!

Huawei has quietly secured the top spot for 6G patent applications!

As Western countries debate whether to dismantle 5G base stations, a stunning piece of news has emerged: China has quietly taken the global lead in 6G patent applications. It's hard to believe, especially since 5G signals aren't even fully deployed in many places. So, how did 6G get so far ahead? What's the real story?

The development of communication technology is like building a skyscraper. 5G is the floor we're on now, while 6G is the deeper foundation being laid. By the time everyone has settled into the 5G floor, the pre-laid 6G foundation will be ready to build upon. This is exactly what happened with 4G. Thanks to early development, we now have convenient applications like short-form video apps and ride-sharing services.

What's even more mind-blowing is that Huawei began researching 5G as early as 2009, a full decade ahead of many other countries. This early start is what led to its eventual leadership in 5G. Now, Huawei is simultaneously working on 6G and has developed a terahertz technology that can achieve lightning-fast transmission speeds. Within 100 meters, it can reach 20Gbps, allowing you to download a movie in an instant. Let's delve into why China is leading in 6G, if this early start is too soon, and the fierce competition among nations.

The Battle for Patent Supremacy: From Qualcomm's Toll to China's Lead
In the past, Western countries firmly controlled the discourse on communication technology. From 1G to 4G, core technologies were pioneered by foreign companies who used a large number of patents to build barriers and charge exorbitant patent fees. Companies like Qualcomm used this model to earn profits without lifting a finger, collecting fees from every single smartphone produced, regardless of whether their chips were used.

But the situation has changed! As of the second quarter of 2025, global 6G patent applications have surpassed 40,000, with China leading with a 37% share. The United States holds 19%, with South Korea a close second with 21%. Chinese companies such as Huawei, ZTE, and China Mobile hold over 65% of patents in key areas like terahertz communication and integrated space-air-ground networks. Within this, Huawei ranks second globally with 3,435 patents. This means China now controls more core technologies in the 6G era and no longer has to pay others for the privilege.

This shift isn't a coincidence. In the 5G era, Huawei became the world's leading holder of 5G patents, and ZTE's 5G patent share was also in the top tier. Now, Chinese companies continue to push forward in 6G, with a significant lead in patent numbers. This marks a major power shift in global communication technology, moving from the West to China. The days of being held back by patent restrictions are gone forever.

China's lead in 6G patents represents a major power shift in the field of communication technology. Moving from a position of paying patent fees to holding a large number of core patents means that China will have more say and more pricing power in the future communication industry. This will not only bring huge economic benefits to Chinese companies but will also place China in a more favorable position in the global tech race, breaking the long-standing Western technological monopoly and injecting new vitality into the development of global communication technology.

A Decade of Planning: The Secret to Staying Ahead
Many wonder if it's too early to start laying the groundwork for 6G when 5G hasn't fully rolled out. The answer is, it's not early at all! Any leading network communication technology is the result of early preparation. Huawei's global leadership in 5G was a result of its research beginning in 2009, when most people had no concept of 5G. With a decade of massive R&D investment, Huawei's efforts finally paid off.

The same principle applies to 6G. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) plans to finalize 6G standards and enable large-scale commercial use by 2030. If we don't start R&D now, we'll be playing catch-up by 2030. China has already made its intentions clear: to begin 6G prototype field tests in 2025, initiate commercial deployment in 2028, and establish a special 10 billion yuan fund to support core technology R&D.