Is 6G coming, and what does it mean for you?
Signal Atlas answers three questions from public evidence: standards bodies, regulators, peer-reviewed research and federal licence data.
6G is expected around 2030, heating is the only established effect of radio waves on the body, and 23,397 licensed cell sites are mapped in 17 Canadian cities. Every claim links to its source and carries an evidence label.
Common questions
When is 6G coming?
Around 2030. 3GPP, the industry standards body, plans to freeze its first 6G specifications between the end of 2028 and March 2029, and equipment makers forecast the first networks for late 2029–2030. Canada has no announced date; about 2030–2031 is our estimate from how far Canada trailed past generations.
Is 6G safe?
Heating is the only established effect of radio waves on the body, and public exposure limits sit about 10 times below the level that warms skin. Early 6G is planned for today’s bands plus new 7–8 GHz spectrum, not terahertz. Some lab and animal findings are still disputed, and the evidence labels show which.
How many cell sites are near me?
23,397 licensed cell sites are mapped in 17 Canadian cities, from the filings carriers make with ISED. 63% of them carry 5G. Pick a city to see towers, rooftops and small cells on street poles.
Is 6G terahertz?
Not at first. 3GPP’s first 6G radio study covers frequencies up to 52.6 GHz, and vendors call 6–8.4 GHz the main 6G band. Sub-terahertz and terahertz are research and short fixed links that might join later releases.
How are the answers graded?
The research library holds 452 findings across 10 themes, 452 with public sources. Each is labelled real today, designed, forecast, disputed or not supported.