# Sixth-Generation (6G) Networks for Improved Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Communication in Industry 4.0
## 3 Results of the Review
### The 6G-Based Revolution of Industry 4.0/5.0  
Sixth-generation networks are expected to revolutionize M2M communications in the context of Industry 4.0/5.0, offering the following significant improvements over previous generations:  
* Ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC): 6G networks are expected to provide ultra-reliable low-latency communications, which are crucial for real-time M2M interactions in industrial settings. This means machines can communicate with each other with minimal latency and high reliability, allowing users to respond quickly to changing conditions on the factory floor.
* Massive machine-type communication (mMTC): With 6G networks, the ability to connect a huge number of devices simultaneously is expected to improve significantly. This capability is essential to support the wide range of sensors, actuators and other devices found in modern industrial environments. mMTC facilitates seamless communication between these devices, enabling efficient coordination and automation.
* High-bandwidth transmission: Industry 4.0 applications often involve the transmission of large amounts of data, such as high-resolution sensor data, video streams, and virtual reality (VR) environments. Sixth generation networks are expected to support significantly higher data rates than previous generations, facilitating the smooth transmission of bandwidth-intensive data in real time. This enables advanced analytics, remote monitoring, and predictive maintenance in industrial systems.
* Sixth-generation networks are expected to introduce network slicing capabilities, enabling the creation of virtualized, dedicated network slices tailored to specific industrial applications. This enables enterprises to tailor network resources to their requirements, ensuring optimal performance, security, and reliability of M2M communications across a variety of Industry 4.0 use cases.
* Integration with edge computing, which is increasingly used in Industry 4.0, to process data closer to the source, reducing latency and bandwidth utilization. Sixth-generation networks will likely integrate seamlessly with edge computing infrastructure, enabling distributed M2M data processing and analysis at the edge. This facilitates real-time decision-making and enables rapid responses to a dynamic industrial environment.
* Improved security and privacy: As cyber threats evolve, ensuring the security and privacy of M2M communications in Industry 4.0 is of paramount importance. Sixth-generation networks are expected to include advanced security features such as robust encryption, authentication mechanisms, and intrusion detection systems to protect M2M communications from unauthorized access and cyber attacks.  
Sixth-generation promises extremely high data rates (in terabytes), artificial intelligence (AI), very low latency, low energy consumption, and a huge number of simultaneously connected devices. This will improve connectivity, sustainability, and credibility and will provide new services: extended reality (XR), mobile holograms, and next-generation entertainment. The upcoming 6G technology is expected to be ready in 2030. Sixth-generation systems combine up to 11 different communication technologies, including terahertz (THz) communication, visible light communication (VLC), multiple access, coding, CF-mMIMO, IRS, and artificial intelligence/machine learning (ML) in wireless transmission [3]. Table 1 lists the key capabilities of 6G that render it highly attractive [3].  
Sixth-generation systems are popular for their key capabilities (Table 2).