Ericsson has successfully concluded what it purports to be the world’s first over-the-air (OTA) testing of 6G wireless technology at its headquarters in Plano, Texas, USA. This trial represents a significant milestone toward the commercial deployment of 6G before the close of this decade.
During the evaluation, engineers showcased AI-driven robotics control alongside real-time video streaming utilizing the novel 6G centimeter waveband. The experiment employed the 7 GHz spectrum, featuring a 400 MHz carrier bandwidth, and a bespoke 6G stack engineered with AI and cloud capabilities integrated throughout.
The testing incorporated Ericsson’s radio equipment, RAN compute platforms, software-defined radio interfaces, and cloud infrastructure. The company’s adaptable software architecture facilitates deployment across diverse hardware platforms, including both Central Processing Units (CPUs) and Graphics Processing Units (GPUs).
Engineers focused their efforts on three core areas:
uplink optimization,
enhancing power efficiency,
effective spectrum utilization.
These elements are vital for AI-intensive applications such as robotics, autonomous systems, and immersive technologies.
Ericsson emphasized that these real-world trials validated the functional viability of core 6G components at a system level, moving beyond mere laboratory prototypes, thus paving the way for the technology’s commercial rollout.
The company highlighted two principal advantages that 6G networks bring to AI:
Support for AI-driven robotics: enabling instant and dependable connectivity required for real-time device management and data analysis.
Real-time video streaming: unlocking a new class of services for autonomous systems and immersive applications.
As AI becomes increasingly embedded in areas like robotics, autonomous systems, industrial automation, and immersive experiences, the wireless infrastructure transforms into a crucial layer of the technology stack. Future 6G networks will possess the capability to sense the environment, perform computations, and adapt instantaneously, guaranteeing low latency and high uplink throughput. This will unlock novel AI service potentials currently unachievable with existing 5G networks.
Ericsson employs more than 6,000 personnel across the United States. The company oversees 12 research and development centers specializing in artificial intelligence, ASIC design, and antenna systems. At the 5G USA Smart Factory in Lewisville, Texas, where Ericsson has invested over $150 million, advanced 5G radio units and RAN compute systems are manufactured.
Industry analysts suggest that the success of these live 6G trials confirms Ericsson’s readiness to develop the next generation of networks capable of supporting fully autonomous and immersive applications across future industries and urban environments.
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