Ericsson Conducts First Live 6G Trial
Ericsson announced the world's first live 6G trial at its facility in Texas. The demonstration showcased the use of new centimeter-wave spectrum to power AI robotics and real-time video streaming. The company stated the milestone supports American leadership in the development of AI-native 6G technology.
The trial utilizes the centimeter-wave (cmWave) spectrum, specifically frequencies between 7-15 GHz, which is considered a key enabler for 6G. This band provides a blend of wide-area coverage and high capacity, with the U.S. National Spectrum Strategy specifically identifying the 7.125-8.4 GHz range for study. This demonstration is an early step toward a commercial rollout of 6G, which most analysts expect around 2030. The global standards body 3GPP is projected to complete the first technical specifications for 6G around 2028, the same year South Korea plans to launch a pilot network. The concept of an "AI-native" network means artificial intelligence will be embedded in the core infrastructure, not just layered on top. This allows for real-time network optimization, automated threat detection, and is projected to create new revenue streams; one estimate suggests a $5 return in AI inference for every $1 invested in AI radio access network infrastructure. The U.S. government has a stated policy of leading 6G development, with the Biden administration committing $2.5 billion to the effort in 2021. In February 2024, the U.S. joined nine other governments, including the U.K., Japan, and France, on a unified commitment to collaborate on 6G research and development. Ericsson's work involves extensive industry collaboration. The company is partnering with Qualcomm to develop and validate foundational 6G physical layer concepts and is showcasing early 6G prototypes with Apple and MediaTek at the MWC 2026 conference. Beyond faster speeds, 6G development is focused on reducing the total cost of ownership (TCO) for network operators. By using AI for automation and designing a more efficient standalone architecture, 6G aims to support the next wave of the industrial internet, including smart factories and autonomous supply chains.
