AT&T and Ericsson report they have demonstrated drone detection using advanced network sensing over a 5G network, showing how capabilities often associated with future 6G systems can begin coming to life today.
“The demo was conducted in authorized airspace outside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, during one of the largest global sporting events in the world,” say the companies in a press release. “Using Ericsson technology and AT&T network expertise, it detected and located multiple drones, then tracked their movement, illustrating how wireless infrastructure could help protect major venues, critical infrastructure and other key locations. This showed how advanced network features can be enabled using 5G capabilities as the industry momentum towards 6G standardization and subsequent deployment accelerates. Critically, the same underlying capabilities could support new levels of low altitude threat detection and tracking around major venues, public spaces and other complex environments.”
Using existing cellular towers, Ericsson deployed its Massive MIMO radios across multiple sites, creating a multi-static sensing configuration, says the press statement. The demonstration combined sensing-enabled radio transmissions with advanced signal processing and AI-enabled sensing algorithms to detect, locate, and track the drones in real time, The network utilized the radio signals typically used for communications to enable real-time environmental sensing, while delivering a total cost of ownership advantage for nation-wide coverage.
In the demonstration, multiple drones flying at altitudes between 300 and 400 feet within the coverage area were successfully detected, localized, and continuously tracked by the sensing technology, according to Ericsson. By combining observations from multiple synchronized sensing nodes, the technology provided enhanced detection reliability, improved positioning accuracy, and robust target tracking performance. The sensing technology generated real-time target metrics, including the drone’s location, velocity, and elevation, enabling comprehensive tracking and monitoring throughout the flight path.
“The demonstration highlighted how existing network infrastructure can be transformed into a distributed sensing platform, enabling advanced applications such as drone detection without requiring additional standalone sensing technology. But it shows more than a single technical milestone. It reflects a broader view shared by AT&T and Ericsson: that some of the capabilities people may think of as “6G” can begin taking shape now through software, advanced radios and continued growth of 5G.”
Together, AT&T and Ericsson will continue bringing their expertise to the evolution of Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) through future demonstrations and learnings, alongside others helping shape the path toward major event environments such as the next major global sporting event in Los Angeles in 2028.
For more information
https://www.ericsson.com/ko/press-releases/6/2026/ericsson-att-drone-detection
(Image: Ericsson)
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