Ericsson Introduces ISAC System to Detect Drones on Existing 5G Networks

Ericsson introduced the Ericsson ISAC System on November 2, 2026, a product that adds drone detection and tracking to existing 5G mobile networks. Small-scale, sensing-only commercial pilots with selected customers are expected to begin in 2027, with broader-scale deployments from 2028, according to PR Newswire.

How the Ericsson ISAC System Tracks Drones

The system analyzes how radio signals reflect off objects in the environment. It operates as a multi-static system, with sensing signal transmission and reception distributed across multiple geographically separate mobile-network sites, so objects are viewed from several angles at once. Ericsson said the system uses sensing-capable 5G radios, edge computing, AI and signal processing to detect objects that are not connected to the network and to maintain tracks across the coverage area, complementing radar and other sensors rather than replacing them.

In validated tests, the system detected and tracked micro drones at kilometer-scale distances with precise 3D positioning, Ericsson said. Trials with AT&T in Arlington, Texas, used sensing dashboards to display drone activity and detected and located multiple drones. A separate demonstration with Erillisverkot in Helsinki showed multiple 5G sites detecting and tracking drones. In Poland, Ericsson, Asseco and Play demonstrated detection and positioning of low-flying drones using Play's mobile network and Asseco's PUSZCZYK acoustic detection system. TradingView reported that the capability targets defense and public safety markets.

Freddie Södergren, Global Head of Mission Critical Networks and Defense at Ericsson, said: "Low-flying drones create a detection coverage gap that no single sensor can effectively address." Shawn Hakl, SVP and Head of Product at AT&T Business, said bringing ISAC capabilities into existing 5G infrastructure can provide telemetry and intelligence where pre-deploying sensors or cameras is not possible or desirable.

Ericsson's Leadership and Automation Record

According to akta.pro company records, Ericsson's board appointed Per Narvinger, previously EVP and Head of Business Area Networks, as President and CEO effective October 1, 2026, succeeding Börje Ekholm. David Hammarwall was named Head of Business Area Networks with the mandate to convert AI-RAN developments into commercial software-subscription revenue. The same records show Ericsson expanded its Intelligent Automation Platform from RAN to core networks at DTW Ignite 2026, introducing cApps alongside rApps and serving AT&T, Swisscom, Telstra and Vodafone across more than 150 5G Core contracts.

Earlier Ericsson Network Partnerships

On November 1, 2026, Batelco and Ericsson expanded their partnership to deploy Ericsson RAN and core network solutions across Bahrain, including AI-powered RAN and a cloud-native 5G core, Zawya reported. On October 30, 2026, T-Mobile US CTO John Saw said AI-driven RAN planning doubled spectral efficiency, The Times of India reported. On October 22, 2026, Ericsson and Export Development Canada said they would invest $3 billion over three years to expand Canadian research and development, including quantum communications, Quantum Zeitgeist reported.

Ericsson ISAC Rollout Timeline

Ericsson said the integrated communications capability will be added as the solution evolves toward 6G. The company said commercial introduction will take place in phases, beginning with the 2027 sensing-only pilots and followed by broader-scale deployments from 2028.