AT&T, Ericsson Test 5G Drone Detection in Arlington

Companies demonstrated a cellular-based system that tracks multiple drones flying between 300 and 400 feet above ground.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Telecommunications

Isometric editorial illustration of three cellular radio towers with antenna panels and a sensor dome, with small drones hovering in the open sky above flat terrain. — AT&T and Ericsson demonstrated a 5G system in Arlington, Texas, that detected and tracked multiple drones flying 300 to 400 feet above ground using existing cellular infrastructure. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

AT&T and Ericsson demonstrated 5G drone detection outside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, using existing cellular infrastructure and Ericsson Massive MIMO radios. The system detected, located and continuously tracked multiple drones, generating real-time data on their location, velocity and elevation.

Why it matters

The demonstration shows mobile networks may be able to add drone monitoring to their existing role, potentially supporting surveillance around sensitive sites. The companies believe the same infrastructure could eventually support distributed sensing applications tied to future 6G networks.

The system combined synchronized radio sensing, advanced signal processing and AI-based algorithms across multiple network sites to track drones flying 300 to 400 feet above ground. Detection range, spectrum bandwidth and commercial pricing were not disclosed.

The players

AT&T

AT&T is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the United States, operating a major nationwide wireless network.

Ericsson

Ericsson is a Swedish telecommunications equipment maker known for developing Massive MIMO radio technology used in 5G networks.

Erillisverkot

Erillisverkot is the Finnish government agency that operates the Virve public-safety communications network.

The details

The system used existing cellular infrastructure and Ericsson Massive MIMO radios deployed across multiple network sites, with multiple locations collecting sensing information simultaneously. A separate trial by Ericsson and Erillisverkot at Vuosaari Harbor in Helsinki, Finland, from September 16 to 18, used a similar architecture combining Massive MIMO radios, beam steering, edge computing and specialized signal-processing software.

September 16-18: Helsinki 5G drone detection trial conducted at Vuosaari Harbor.
October 30: Ericsson and Erillisverkot announced the Helsinki trial results.

The Tech Race

The demonstration extends Ericsson's Massive MIMO platform beyond connectivity into sensing, a direction the companies link to future 6G networks. Ericsson and Erillisverkot are also evaluating how mobile infrastructure could complement surveillance systems around ports and airports.

The technology could eventually help public-safety agencies monitor drones around ports, airports and other critical locations using infrastructure that already exists. Commercial availability and costs have not been announced, so consumers and local agencies will not see changes soon.