AT&T and Ericsson have demonstrated a proof of concept showing that the same 5G network used by smartphones could also help identify and track drones that may pose a public safety risk. The test suggests mobile network infrastructure could take on a new role beyond consumer connectivity.
In the demonstration near AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, a drone appeared on a screen as it moved toward a designated no-fly zone. The setup illustrated how aerial objects could be monitored in real time using an existing 5G network, potentially giving authorities earlier warning when an unauthorized drone enters sensitive airspace.
The idea is significant because rogue drones have become a growing concern around major venues, events and restricted areas. If 5G systems can help detect and follow these aircraft without requiring entirely new networks, telecom infrastructure could become part of a broader security and airspace management strategy.
While the project was presented as a proof of concept, it points to a possible future in which 5G supports both communications and drone surveillance. For public safety agencies and venue operators, that could mean another tool for responding to aerial threats around crowded or protected locations.
