Samsung successfully trials key 6G network technology with Verizon in the US

Samsung has announced the successful completion of a field trial for a key 6G networking technology, Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC), in collaboration with Verizon in the US.

The trial was conducted over Verizon’s existing commercial network during an international soccer fan event in Dallas, Texas, in the US. It marks one of the world's first practical implementations of ISAC using current network architecture.

Verizon’s network uses on AI-powered virtualized RAN (vRAN), eliminating the need for standalone hardware. To perform the field trial of ISAC, Samsung combined its vCore, vRAN, and ISAC applications into its Network in a Server (NIS) platform, which consolidates all network functions and accelerated computing into a single server.

A CBRS radio unit using 40MHz of spectrum mounted on a Verizon Cell-On-Wheels setup acted as a sensing receiver, capturing channel variations from nearby 5G smartphones. Samsung's NIS then analyzed these signals to generate a near-real-time crowd density heatmap tracking movement.

This trial demonstrates how future wireless network and communication infrastructure will move beyond just data transfer, enabling networks to actively understand their environment and adjust accordingly.

It provides real-time visibility into crowd distribution, allowing operators to optimize network performance, help people locate less congested facilities, and reduce wait times. By detecting overcrowding early, it also enables early intervention to prevent safety incidents.