Ericsson is proposing to use existing 5G towers to track drones rather than relying only on new sensors, according to a DroneDJ report. The company argues that cellular infrastructure could support wide-area drone detection and low-altitude oversight if the approach matures.
This means B2B stakeholders should watch the convergence of cellular networks with UTM and counter-UAS systems. Potential benefits include lower infrastructure costs for wide-area detection, while related device certification, data compliance and system integration requirements will shape commercial deployment.
| Use case | Potential value | B2B consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Airports | Wide-area low-altitude awareness | Coordination with existing security systems |
| Industrial parks | Lower infrastructure cost potential | Network coverage and integration testing |
| Cities | Scalable drone detection coverage | Data governance and public procurement rules |
Source: DroneDJ report on Ericsson 5G drone detection, published November 2, 2026.
5G-based drone tracking may cut wide-area detection costs, creating integration opportunities across cellular, UTM and counter-UAS systems.
