Ericsson Transforms 5G Towers Into Drone Detectors

Successful Demonstration: Ericsson conducted a live proof of concept on <strong class="body_output text-content_primary font-semibold" node="[object Object]">February 26, 2026 , using its massive-MIMO 5G radios to detect and track unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in Plano, Texas.
Dual-Use Infrastructure: The ISAC technology integrates sensing capabilities directly into the mobile network, turning telecommunications equipment into a large-scale sensor grid.
New Market Potential: This capability unlocks new commercial, public safety, and defense applications, creating potential revenue streams in drone security, transportation logistics, and industrial site protection.

Ericsson Proves 5G Drone Detection in Texas Test

Ericsson successfully demonstrated its Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) technology in a live test at its U.S. headquarters in Plano, Texas, on February 26, 2026. The proof of concept showed that the company's existing massive-MIMO 5G radios can be used to sense their surroundings, successfully detecting and tracking unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the nearby airspace. This test confirms that standard telecommunications infrastructure can be leveraged for advanced sensing capabilities without requiring separate, dedicated hardware.

ISAC Tech Opens Defense and Commercial 5G Markets

The breakthrough creates a significant strategic advantage for Ericsson by expanding the utility of its 5G networks beyond connectivity. By integrating spatial location and object detection into the network itself, the ISAC technology establishes a foundation for new services. Potential use cases include wide-area airspace monitoring for public safety and defense, enhanced transportation assistance, and improved safety for industrial facilities. This positions Ericsson to capture new revenue from industries that require large-scale, real-time environmental awareness, fundamentally increasing the value proposition of its 5G infrastructure.