Ericsson Turns Cell Networks Into Drone Detectors
Ericsson's Integrated Sensing and Communication system uses existing cellular signals to track flying objects, with AT&T and Finland's Erillisverkot already running trials.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Telecommunications
Live Poll
Should local authorities expand drone detection systems near airports and military sites?
Ericsson is developing a system that analyzes radio signals reflected off flying objects, using existing cellular infrastructure to identify and follow their movements. AT&T tested the technology around Arlington, Texas, and Finland's Erillisverkot has conducted similar trials.
Why it matters
The approach could help identify small, fast-moving aircraft flying close to the ground, where conventional surveillance equipment sometimes faces difficulties. The concern follows disruptions at Jersey Airport in the Channel Islands over Halloween weekend caused by unauthorized drone sightings.
The evidence is vendor-described trial activity, with AT&T testing near Arlington, Texas and Finland's Erillisverkot running similar trials. Ericsson has not released quantitative detection results, so performance against conventional surveillance remains unquantified.
The players
Ericsson
Swedish telecommunications equipment maker that is developing the Integrated Sensing and Communication system for cellular networks.
AT&T
American telecommunications company that tested the drone-tracking technology around Arlington, Texas.
Erillisverkot
Finnish government-owned provider of dedicated mobile communications networks for public safety and authorities, which conducted similar trials.
The details
The system compares information collected from multiple cellular sites to estimate an object's position. It requires specialized radio equipment, computing resources and software, including Massive MIMO antennas. In Britain, military personnel have legal authority to disable unauthorized drones detected around certain military installations.
Timeline
Halloween weekend: Flights at Jersey Airport were disrupted by unauthorized drone sightings.
2027: Ericsson plans to begin limited commercial trials of the system.
2028: Ericsson plans to expand availability to additional customers.
The Tech Race
Ericsson's approach builds on the sensing capabilities expected with 6G spectrum, which the company says will make deployment on wide channels easier. The effort positions cellular operators to offer drone detection on infrastructure they already run, rather than relying solely on dedicated radar systems.
For most people the system would operate invisibly on existing cell networks, with its main effect being improved detection of unauthorized drones near airports and sensitive sites. Commercial availability is not expected until limited trials begin in 2027, so no immediate change to phone service or pricing is indicated.
The takeaway
Cellular networks may increasingly double as sensing tools, so the same infrastructure used for calls and data could also help monitor airspace. Readers following drone regulation should watch whether the 2027 trials produce published detection results.
What happens next
Ericsson plans to begin limited commercial trials of the system in 2027 and to expand availability to additional customers in 2028.
Further reading
For more on how carriers are building new capabilities into their networks, see Telecommunications.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TechRadar.
Live Poll
Should local authorities expand drone detection systems near airports and military sites?
