Tech Giants: Starting from Bankrupt Companies

361: Chapter 361 The Battle for the 6G StandardBerlin in September, the autumn air is crisp and clear.

On the campus of the Technical University of Berlin, ancient masonry buildings and modern glass curtain walls complement each other. Founded in 1770, this university has cultivated countless scientific giants—Einstein taught here, Von Neumann researched mathematics here, and it boasts over forty Nobel laureates.

Today, a brand-new glass building has been added to the campus.

It is completely transparent, shining brightly in the sunlight and forming a sharp contrast with the surrounding historical buildings. A huge granite plaque stands at the entrance, engraved in German and Chinese: ”China-EU Joint 6G Laboratory”.

”China-EU Jointry”

Over two hundred guests stood before the door, including German government officials, European Union representatives, scientists from various countries, and media reporters. The German flag and the Five-Star Red Flag hung side by side, swaying gently in the breeze.

Merkel and Su Chen stood side by side in front of the red silk.

The sixty-five-year-old German Chancellor wore a dark blue suit; her hair was graying, but her eyes were sharp. She had governed Germany for fifteen years and witnessed countless historical moments, but today, there was an unusual solemnity on her face.

”Mr. Su, after World War II, Germany’s communication technology has always followed the United States. From GSM to 5G, we have been followers.”

She paused and looked directly at Su Chen: ”In 6G, Germany wants to be a leader.”

Twenty-nine-year-old Su Chen wore a dark gray shirt with sleeves rolled up to his forearms. Standing beside Merkel, he looked as young as a student, but his presence was not weak at all.

He smiled: ”Madam Chancellor, Xingchen does not aim to be a leader. Xingchen only aims to be a contributor. The 6G standard will be defined by those who contribute the most.”

Merkel looked at him and nodded. Both pulled down the red silk simultaneously. Applause erupted, and the sound of shutters was like a rainstorm. The interior of the laboratory was even more shocking than the exterior.

Across three entire floors, it was filled with the most advanced scientific research equipment. Terahertz communication testbeds, quantum computing simulators, photonic integrated chip R&D lines—the total value of this equipment exceeded one billion euros.

Laboratory Director Martin Welker walked beside Su Chen. The fifty-five-year-old German scientist is an authority in the European communications field, having worked at Ericsson for twenty years and presided over the formulation of 5G standards.

”Mr. Su, this is our Terahertz communication prototype.”

He pointed to an instrument flashing with blue light. Various meters, screens, and antennas were intertwined, like a scene from a science fiction movie.

”The rate has already reached five hundred gigabits per second, which is fifty times that of 5G.”

Su Chen looked closely at the data on the screen: ”How much longer until commercial use?”

Welker thought for a moment: ”Three years. With Spark’s chip and Europe’s antenna technology, it can be done.”

He pointed to a row of workbenches nearby: ”There are two hundred top European communication scientists here, from Germany, France, Italy, Finland, and Sweden. They gave up high salaries to come to Berlin and join this lab. Because they believe that the future of 6G is here.”

Su Chen nodded: ”If you need anything, just say the word.”

September 15th, Washington.

Under the crystal chandeliers of the East Room of the White House, the atmosphere was so heavy it felt like it could drip water. Over three hundred reporters crowded the hall, the red lights of cameras flashing incessantly.

The President stood at the podium, with two huge words written on the large screen behind him: ”6G Alliance”.

The seventy-eight-year-old U.S. President wore a dark blue suit with a meticulously tied tie. His voice spread through the speakers across the venue: ”The United States is convening a 6G Alliance, with members including—Qualcomm, Apple, Google, Intel, Samsung, MediaTek, and TSMC. As well as partners from Japan and South Korea.”

The reporters below began taking notes.

The President continued: ”The goal of the 6G Alliance is to ensure that the dominance of next-generation communication technology remains in the hands of democratic nations.”

A reporter raised their hand: ”Mr. President, where are the European companies?”

The President fell silent for a second. In that second, he thought of many things—Germany’s Siemens, France’s Ericsson, Finland’s Nokia—these former communication giants had all gone to Berlin now.

”Europe has its own choices. We respect that.”

Someone in the audience laughed. The laughter was light, but in the quiet East Room, it was exceptionally piercing.

The 25th, Technical University of Berlin.

In the press conference hall of the China-EU Joint 6G Laboratory, all three hundred seats were occupied. Communication experts, media reporters, and government officials from around the world packed the entire hall.

On the stage, a giant screen displayed real-time footage of the Terahertz prototype.

Xingchen scientist Zhang Tianyi stood at the front of the stage. At forty-five, he was the Chief Scientist of Xingchen Communications, having worked at Huawei for fifteen years and led the R&D of 5G base stations.

He pressed a button. On the large screen, the rate numbers began to jump.

100 gigabits per second.

200 gigabits per second.

300 gigabits per second.

400 gigabits per second.

500 gigabits per second.

The numbers froze. The entire room was silent for a second, then erupted in gasps.

Qualcomm’s Chief Scientist John Smi stood up. The sixty-year-old American is an authority in the communication world, having worked at Qualcomm for thirty years and holding over two hundred patents.

”Dr. Zhang, laboratory data cannot represent commercial use. Heat dissipation, power consumption, cost issues—how do you solve them?”

His voice carried clear skepticism. Zhang Tianyi looked at him and smiled.

There was a sense of composure in that smile, as if he had seen through everything: ”Mr. Smi, Spark’s chip has thirty percent lower power consumption than Qualcomm’s. For heat dissipation, we use new carbon nanotube materials. As for cost—our Terahertz modules are expected to have a commercial cost only one-third of Qualcomm’s solution.”

He paused: ”These problems, we solved two years ago.”

A burst of laughter erupted from the audience. Smi’s face turned ashen, and he slowly sat down.

Brussels.

Inside the headquarters of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute, an emergency meeting was underway. Representatives from twenty-seven countries sat around a circular conference table, each with a thick document in front of them.

The Chairman stood on the stage, holding the results of the just-completed vote.

”ETSI has decided to adopt the China-EU Joint 6G solution as the foundational framework for next-generation mobile communications.”

Applause rang out from below.

A reporter raised their hand: ”Mr. Chairman, what about the U.S. 6G Alliance?”

The Chairman shrugged, a gesture with a characteristic European nonchalance: ”They can continue their research. But the European market will use European standards.”

Su Chen stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the sunset over Shenzhen Bay.

Lin Wan pushed the door and entered: ”President Su, ETSI has adopted our solution. European companies are completely absent from the U.S. 6G Alliance.”

Su Chen did not turn around: ”As expected.”

Lin Wan asked: ”What’s next?”

Su Chen turned around: ”Let Europe start running. Now that the 6G standard is set, the next steps are 7G and 8G. With standards, whoever defines them first will always stay ahead.”

He looked at the birds outside the window: ”Let them chase. We will simply keep moving forward.”