AT&T and Ericsson recently demonstrated the potential of 5G as a platform for integrated sensing and communications (ISAC) [1.] in support of critical infrastructure protection and public safety. The demonstration, conducted at a World Cup stadium near Dallas, TX highlights how cellular networks can evolve into dual-function systems that provide both connectivity and environmental sensing.

Note 1.  Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) is a flagship 6G/IMT 2030 capability that unifies mobile communication and environmental sensing into a single network. By using the same infrastructure, spectrum, and waveforms, 6G systems will act as spatially aware platforms. It allows networks to detect, track, and image objects while transmitting data. ITU-R officially designated ISAC as one of the six core usage scenarios in the IMT-2030 (6G) framework.

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In this trial, AT&T and Ericsson (its primary RAN equipment supplier) employed 5G-based network sensing to detect and track unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operating at altitudes between 300 and 400 feet in authorized airspace as they approached AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The approach reflects a joint communication and sensing (JCAS) paradigm, in which existing radio access network (RAN) infrastructure is leveraged for situational awareness without the need for dedicated radar or sensing overlays.

Ericsson deployed Massive MIMO radios across multiple sites to establish a “multi-static sensing configuration,” enabling spatial diversity and improved detection performance. By combining “sensing-enabled radio transmissions with advanced signal processing and AI-enabled sensing algorithms,” the system detected, localized, and tracked drones in real time. This capability exploits the propagation characteristics of RF signals used for communication, enabling object detection and tracking within the coverage footprint of the network.

Although no match was scheduled during the demonstration, AT&T Stadium has been a primary venue during the tournament and will host the semi-final between France and Spain later this week, providing a representative high-density and security-sensitive deployment context.

Cellular Sensing for Drone Mitigation:

Image Credit: AT&T

Unauthorized UAV activity has posed ongoing challenges for public safety authorities during the tournament. On match days, drone operations are prohibited within a one-nautical-mile radius of stadiums and up to 1,000 feet above ground level, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Reporting from the tech demo in Arlington, NBC 5 DFW indicated that U.S. authorities have detected approximately 1,500 drones and confiscated more than 700 across World Cup venues, including 53 in the vicinity of AT&T Stadium.

AT&T and Ericsson position cellular-based sensing as a complementary capability to existing counter-UAV systems deployed by law enforcement. While the Arlington Police Department indicated it was not directly involved in the demonstration, it acknowledged ongoing evaluation of emerging technologies that could enhance future operational capabilities, according to NBC 5 DFW.

Quotes:

Ildefonso de la Cruz, senior principal analyst at Omdia (owned by Informa-UK), characterized the demonstration as strategically timed and situated, noting its alignment with global attention on the World Cup and upcoming large-scale events such as the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. “This demonstration shows that robust cellular infrastructure is the foundation to build reliable next-generation critical services for public safety and other critical infrastructure verticals,” he stated.

“As networks evolve, the opportunity is not just to prepare for 6G someday, but to begin introducing important building blocks now,” said Dyon Agnew, SVP and Head of Customer Unit AT&T, Ericsson Americas. “This demonstration with AT&T shows a product roadmap in action: using advanced 5G capabilities today to explore how sensing and connectivity can work together, then evolving those capabilities over time as the path to 6G becomes clearer.”

“Integrated sensing is an important part of the road to 6G, and this work helps show how we can start bringing that future to life right now,” said Yigal Elbaz, SVP and Network CTO, AT&T. “By working with Ericsson, we are exploring how advanced wireless networks can add sensing capabilities to connectivity in ways that could support safer operations, smarter venues, and stronger customer experiences, while creating a path to evolve these capabilities responsibly over time.”

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Technical Takeaways:

• Demonstrates early-stage ISAC/JCAS capabilities using commercial 5G Massive MIMO infrastructure, with implications for 6G-native sensing architectures.

• Validates multi-static sensing configurations in cellular deployments, improving detection accuracy through spatial diversity.

• Highlights the role of AI-driven signal processing in extracting sensing information from communication waveforms.

• Suggests a pathway to cost-efficient sensing by reusing existing RAN assets, avoiding dedicated radar infrastructure.

• Reinforces the potential for cellular networks to support public safety and critical infrastructure monitoring as a value-added service layer.

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https://about.att.com/story/2026/att-ericsson-drone-detection.html

https://www.lightreading.com/5g/att-and-ericsson-demo-5g-sensing-for-drone-detection

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7481460850159943680/ by Yigal Elbaz, of AT&T

https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-R/study-groups/rsg5/rwp5d/imt-2030/pages/default.aspx

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