Introductory Chapter: Advanced Wireless Communications and Mobile Networks – Current Status and Future Directions

1. Introduction

Wireless communication has progressed rapidly in recent decades, transitioning from a basic system for analog voice transmission to a complex, intelligent infrastructure that underpins today’s digital society. It now serves as a critical enabler across sectors, supporting innovation, driving economic growth, and reshaping interactions between people and technology [1]. As global reliance on digital services continues to grow, wireless networks have become a key foundation for digital transformation in both developed and developing regions. A major contributor to this evolution is the surge in connected devices. While mobile phones and tablets remain widespread, today’s network environment also includes wearable technologies, embedded processors, and billions of real-time Internet of Things (IoT) sensors [2]. These devices generate immense volumes of data, posing new challenges for network capacity, reliability, and scalability. Forecasts suggest that mobile data traffic could exceed 300 exabytes per month by 2030, fueled by widespread use of high-definition video, augmented reality, and cloud-based services [3].

2. Applications and limitations of modern wireless communications

In addition to human-driven applications, machine-type communication (MTC) has seen rapid adoption. MTC enables devices to communicate autonomously, without requiring human intervention. It plays a central role in smart manufacturing, healthcare systems, transportation networks, and infrastructure monitoring [4]. However, these use cases place strict demands on wireless systems, especially in terms of latency, reliability, and energy efficiency, which many earlier mobile generations were not designed to meet [5]. The importance of wireless communication extends into a wide range of essential services. In healthcare, it supports remote diagnostics, telemedicine, and continuous patient monitoring. In the education sector, wireless networks provide access to virtual classrooms and collaborative learning platforms. Transportation systems rely on technologies such as vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication to enable autonomous and connected mobility. Wireless sensing systems also enhance precision agriculture by monitoring soil and environmental conditions. In emergency response scenarios, wireless networks often remain operational even when conventional infrastructure fails, offering critical communication links [6].

3. Future directions: From 5G to 6G

The deployment of fifth-generation (5G) networks represents a major step forward in mobile communication technology. Unlike earlier generations that focused primarily on voice and data services, 5G was designed to accommodate a diverse range of applications. These are categorized into three main service types: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), and massive machine-type communication (mMTC) [7]. To fulfill these demands, 5G networks implement several advanced technologies including millimeter-wave (mmWave) spectrum, massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), network slicing, and edge computing [8]. These advancements have enabled significantly faster speeds, reduced latency, and improved capacity for device connections. As a result, applications such as immersive media, industrial automation, and real-time online services have become increasingly viable. Despite these improvements, the rising complexity of applications, particularly those involving real-time interaction, automation, and data-intensive processing, has exposed some limitations of current 5G systems [9].

To address these challenges, the global research community is now exploring the next generation of wireless networks: sixth generation (6G). Although 6G is still in the early stages of research and definition, it is envisioned as a highly adaptive, intelligent communication environment. Its architecture will likely integrate both terrestrial and non-terrestrial platforms, including low-Earth orbit satellites, high-altitude base stations, and drone-supported systems. These components aim to provide broader coverage, greater reliability, and seamless global connectivity. The anticipated performance targets for 6G are ambitious. Networks are expected to support peak data rates up to 1 terabit per second, offer latency below 1 millisecond, and maintain extremely high reliability. In contrast to previous generations, 6G will embed artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and sensing capabilities directly into its core architecture [10]. This integration will enable real-time adaptation to user behavior, environmental context, and service requirements. It is also expected to support advanced use cases such as immersive extended reality (XR), digital twins, and autonomous intelligent systems, pushing the boundaries of what wireless communication can deliver.