6G Availability in Developed and Developing Countries by 2026
6G remains in the early research stage, and full public access is still far away, but progress continues at different speeds across regions. Developed countries lead the shift, as major tech hubs invest in early testing, government-backed programs, and industry partnerships. These countries plan to complete large-scale trials by 2026, which means researchers, telecom companies, and universities will refine the core features of 6G during this period. While this does not bring full commercial service, it builds the base for future deployment.
Developing countries move at a slower pace because they are still expanding 4G and stabilizing 5G. Their focus stays on building stronger digital infrastructure before shifting to early 6G work. By 2026, many of them will follow global research updates, start pilot projects in specific cities, and prepare policy frameworks, but everyday users will not see active 6G coverage.
Overall, by 2026, developed countries reach advanced trial phases, and developing countries prepare groundwork. The gap reflects differences in investment, technology access, and network readiness.