ISAC will turn 6G networks into a giant radar system

A whitepaper from 5G Americas highlights that 6G is being built around a technology called Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC), which will effectively turn our national mobile infrastructure into a huge real-time radar system.

ISAC works using a principle similar to radar: a mobile mast sends out a standard radio signal, which then bounces off objects in the environment. By comparing the original signal to the echo that returns, the network can figure out an object’s shape, size, speed, and location.

This even works on “passive” objects, meaning things that aren’t connected to the network at all. Sometimes a single mast will act alone, sending and receiving the signals itself, which is known as ‘monostatic’ mode. In other cases, masts will work as a team, with one transmitting the signal and others receiving the reflections, creating a richer and more detailed picture of the surroundings.

Viet Nguyen, President of 5G Americas, said: “ISAC is a transformative technology that combines radar-like sensing with traditional communications, turning wireless networks into intelligent infrastructure capable of perceiving the physical world.”

While we’ve seen similar ideas in home Wi-Fi systems for things like intruder detection, bringing this to the scale of a national 5G or 6G network unlocks powerful, high-value applications that until now required expensive, specialised equipment.

It’s no surprise that ISAC is seen as a key ingredient for making 6G a success—promising to create new sources of revenue and drive adoption of the new standard.

From keeping drones at bay to predicting floods

So, what can a network that sees actually do? The possibilities outlined in the report are transformative.

One of the most talked-about applications is for defence and security: detecting and tracking Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or drones. The ability to create safe transport corridors for commercial drones or spot unauthorised ones in restricted airspace is a huge business opportunity.

But the vision goes far beyond just tracking objects. ISAC could become a powerful tool for environmental monitoring on a massive scale.

Because it uses the infrastructure we already have, it’s a cost-effective way to keep an eye on our planet. The network could provide instant rainfall data by measuring how radio waves are scattered by raindrops, or offer early flood warnings by detecting rising water levels on streets and rivers. In an age where public safety is increasingly tied to our environment, these are vital capabilities.

The applications touch almost every aspect of modern life, from optimising the flow of traffic at busy junctions to helping emergency services plan the fastest, safest routes. In indoor spaces like factories, it could track automated vehicles; in airports, it could monitor passenger flow; and in hospitals, it could even detect if a patient has had a fall.

Amitava Ghosh, Nokia Fellow and key contributor to the report, commented: “ISAC development is a cornerstone for enabling context-aware services and digital twin technologies in 6G. It also opens the door for carriers to offer advanced, data-driven services that improve safety, streamline automation, and support next-generation mobility.”

Turning sixth sense into a business plan

Of course, for mobile operators, this has to make financial sense. The report highlights how this new “sixth sense” can be monetised.

The most exciting prospect of ISAC is the idea of “Sensing-as-a-Service”. This would see network providers become data brokers for the physical world. In this model, the network doesn’t just generate its own sensing information, but can also combine it with data from other sources, like public cameras, weather stations, or vehicle sensors, in a process known as sensor fusion.

The provider can then process all this information and sell access to it through a dedicated platform for third-party developers and apps. Imagine an app that warns you of dangerous road conditions in real-time, or a logistics firm that can track its entire fleet with pinpoint accuracy.

Solving the tough questions of ISAC

However, getting to this future won’t be easy, and the report is clear about the hurdles that need to be overcome.

One of the biggest puzzles for engineers is designing a single radio signal that can handle both super-fast communications and high-resolution sensing without either function suffering.

And what about privacy? It’s a question that looms large. A network that can track movements and activities could feel like a giant surveillance tool if not handled correctly. Building robust security and clear, fair regulations will be absolutely critical to earning public trust.

Despite these challenges, the journey has already started. The standards bodies that define mobile technology are already working on ISAC, and several companies have built working proofs of concept using today’s 5G hardware.

Paul Tse, Director Strategy and Technology at Ericsson and working group leader for the white paper, said: “ISAC redefines the capabilities of cellular networks by embedding sensing directly into the fabric of communication infrastructure. It offers both technical and economic benefits while advancing the capabilities of smart and automated systems.”

Through teamwork and ingenuity, the industry is on the verge of creating networks that don’t just connect us, but which understand and interact with the world in a way that could bring huge benefits to society for decades to come.

See also: Vodafone uses satellite-guided sensors to align mobile antennas

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Tags: 5g americas, 6g, connectivity, isac, mobile, networks, radar, sensing, telecoms