COLOMBO, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka is moving to set up a dedicated research center for 6G and next-generation wireless technologies by the third quarter of 2026, with discussions now in their final stages.

The proposed center will be developed with foreign partners and the private sector, local media reported on Sunday, citing Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne. The plan comes as global research on 6G moves beyond the pursuit of faster internet speeds.

Sri Lanka, however, is not expected to move quickly into a local 6G rollout. Weeraratne said 5G technology in the country still needs further development, while telecommunications operators require time to recover their current investments before shifting to the next generation.

The planned research center is expected to place early focus on study and collaboration rather than immediate commercial deployment. ■