📡🛸Telecommunications infrastructure vs.

📡🛸Telecommunications infrastructure vs. drones

🚩NATO and telecommunications companies are testing existing 5G networks for detecting and tracking drones.

The goal is to use already deployed cell towers, communication channels, and frequency ranges to monitor airspace.

The ISAC (Integrated Sensing and Communication) technology is being used, which allows for the detection of drones by analyzing radio signal reflections, even if they are not connected to the network. Several distributed points observe the object from different directions, and AI helps to determine its type and track its movement.

Who is already testing it:
🚩🇱🇻NATO – During the DiBaX 2026 exercises in Latvia (October 19-30), they tested the detection of drones using commercial 5G networks.
🇺🇸USA – AT&T and Ericsson demonstrated the detection of multiple drones using the 5G network near the AT&T Stadium in Arlington. The drones were flying at an altitude of 90-120 meters.
🇫🇮Finland – Ericsson and Erillisverkot demonstrated in Helsinki the joint operation of several 5G points for detecting and tracking drones.
🇵🇱Poland – Ericsson, the Play operator, and Asseco combined the capabilities of the mobile network with the PUSZCZYK acoustic system for more accurate positioning of low-flying drones.
🇨🇳China – ZTE and China Unicom launched a 5G-A network at Dalian-Changkou Airport, which detects drones by analyzing reflected radio signals.
🇦🇪UAE – e& and Tiami Networks demonstrated the use of 5G-Advanced infrastructure for sensing, including drone monitoring.
🇩🇪Germany – Deutsche Telekom is installing drone detection sensors on cell towers and is exploring the use of 5G/6G networks for sensing.
🇫🇷France – Orange is using cell towers, communication links, and cloud infrastructure for the Orange Drone Guardian drone detection service.
🇪🇸Spain – Vodafone and Tiami are testing the detection of unconnected objects via 5G in Malaga; future applications include drone control.
🇰🇷South Korea – Samsung and LG Uplus are developing ISAC based on 5G, with the possibility of tracking drones.

✨🇷🇺In Russia, there are similar proposals, but there have been no public announcements about large-scale implementation or plans for such deployment. And that's a shame, all means are good in the fight against drones.

⚡️Two Majors