Verizon and Ericsson Achieve First 7GHz 6G Field Call on Commercial Site

Image: Illustrative image · Zejo · Public domain · Source

Verizon and Ericsson conducted the first pre-standard 6G field call in the 7GHz band, testing outdoor and indoor signal performance at a commercial site in California using a 6G proof-of-concept system.

Verizon and Ericsson have announced a milestone in 6G development by completing the first pre-standard 6G field call operating in the 7GHz frequency range. This marks a significant advancement as their 6G testing moves beyond laboratory environments to a commercial network site. The trial took place at a Verizon commercial location in Concord, California, utilizing Ericsson’s 6G proof-of-concept equipment.

The test sessions focused on upper mid-band frequencies outdoors, assessing how 6G signals propagate and penetrate into buildings. A base station was installed on a site shelter, while user equipment was housed in a mobile enclosure measuring 12 by 8 feet. This setup supported both stationary outdoor and indoor radio configurations critical for real-world experimentation.

Engineers evaluated line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight transmission paths, including the impacts of foliage and physical obstacles. The mobile test unit incorporated custom power backups and varied glass and wall materials to simulate different building environments. These conditions enabled measurement of coverage, throughput, latency, signal stability, and feature performance of a pre-standard 6G stack operating over a 400 MHz carrier bandwidth.

Verizon’s Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President of Technology Development, Yago Tenorio, emphasized Ericsson’s vital role within Verizon’s 6G Innovation Forum. He noted that this outdoor trial would yield critical technical insights to inform global standardization efforts and guide the design and practical deployment of future 6G networks.

This achievement underscores the ongoing collaboration between Verizon and Ericsson to pioneer next-generation wireless technology and demonstrates tangible progress in 6G development at commercial sites under realistic conditions.