Will the first major carrier (in South Korea or China) commercially launch a city-wide 6G network before the end of 2029?

6G Race: Asia Leads the Way by 2029?

While 6G standardization is targeting the 2030s, countries like South Korea and China have announced aggressive, accelerated timelines. This prediction asks if a major carrier in either nation will launch a true commercial 6G service (not just a limited test bed) in a metropolitan area before the end of 2029.

Government Backing and Competition

The strong 'Yes' vote reflects the strategic imperative in these nations to lead the next generation of mobile technology, a trend established during the 5G rollout. South Korea has explicitly targeted an initial 6G launch in 2028. While a true, fully standardized 6G may not be ready, these carriers are highly likely to launch a 'pre-standard' or 'initial commercial' service to claim the global lead before 2030.