Ericsson conducts first live 6G trial in Texas
Ericsson completed what it calls the world's first live 6G trial at its facility in Texas. The demonstration showcased AI-powered robotics and real-time video streaming using new centimeter-wave spectrum and cloud-native infrastructure. The company stated the milestone supports American leadership in the development of AI-native 6G technology.
While commercial 6G networks are not expected until around 2030, the standardization process is already in motion. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), the body that develops standards for mobile telecommunications, began work on 6G requirements in 2024 and is expected to finalize the first technical specifications by the end of 2028. The demonstration utilized the centimeter-wave (cmWave) spectrum, specifically the 7-15 GHz range. This part of the spectrum is considered a sweet spot for 6G, offering a balance of wide-area coverage and the high bandwidth needed for demanding applications like holographic communication and massive digital twinning. Major equipment suppliers like Ericsson and Nokia are focusing on this range as a key enabler for 6G. A core concept for 6G is its "AI-native" architecture, a fundamental shift from 5G where AI is more of an add-on. In an AI-native network, artificial intelligence will be deeply embedded from the start, managing and optimizing the network autonomously in real-time. This will enable the network to be more efficient, adaptable, and capable of supporting complex, AI-driven services. This trial is part of a broader global race to lead in 6G technology, a key area of geopolitical and economic competition, particularly between the U.S. and China. China has made 6G a national strategic priority and has already launched experimental satellites to test potential 6G technologies. The U.S. government has also signaled its commitment to 6G leadership, with the White House and federal agencies outlining strategies for spectrum allocation and international cooperation.
