Samsung and LG Uplus will conduct tests on 6G sensing technology that serves as a replacement for radar.

      On May 27, Samsung Electronics and LG Uplus entered into a memorandum of understanding to collaboratively develop Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC), a technology enabling mobile network base stations to function as environmental sensors. The agreement was formalized at LG Science Park in Magok, Seoul, with Samsung Research, part of Samsung’s Device eXperience unit, spearheading the development.

      ISAC operates by analyzing wireless signals that bounce off nearby objects to gather information on their speed, distance, and movement direction. Practically, this means a cell tower could identify a drone, track vehicle movement, or observe foot traffic without needing separate sensing hardware. The technology utilizes the same signals used for voice and data, thus transforming established communication infrastructure into a sensing platform.

      The significance of this development lies in the fact that current environmental sensing relies on dedicated equipment. Systems like LiDAR use laser light for distance measurement, while radar employs radio waves, both necessitating independent hardware that must be installed, powered, and maintained apart from the communications network. ISAC addresses this issue by leveraging the wireless infrastructure already established by mobile operators.

      The International Telecommunication Union’s Radiocommunication Sector has recognized ISAC as one of six usage scenarios for IMT-2030, the official term for 6G. This places it alongside other scenarios, including immersive communication, hyper-reliable low-latency communication, massive communication, ubiquitous connectivity, and AI-integrated communication. Its addition indicates that 6G networks are being developed not merely to transmit data, but also to sense the physical world.

      The initial focus of their collaboration will be on human detection for safety applications and enhancing network operational efficiency. The companies intend to first validate ISAC's performance within LG Uplus’s existing 5G networks, followed by exploration of the 7 GHz band, which is a potential frequency for 6G that balances wide coverage with high bandwidth.

      Over time, the partnership will integrate ISAC-generated wireless data, such as location, speed, and density, with camera images to enhance detection accuracy. This initiative will involve creating multimodal AI models that integrate and analyze various sensing data. Samsung Research will take charge of core ISAC and AI technology development, while LG Uplus will supply data and field-testing infrastructure from its commercial network.

      The race for spectrum in relation to 6G has seen the 7 GHz band increasingly referred to as the “golden band” due to its suitable bandwidth for high-speed data while ensuring effective coverage. South Korea is currently exploring the 7.125 to 8.4 GHz range as a key candidate for 6G. The World Radiocommunication Conference in 2023 has earmarked sections of the 6.425 to 7.125 GHz band for mobile use in several regions, and the 7.125 to 8.4 GHz range is set for discussion at WRC-27.

      In the U.S., the National Telecommunications and Information Administration aims to conclude its study of the 7.125 to 7.4 GHz band by the end of 2026 before it can be made available for commercial wireless usage. Meanwhile, Europe is focusing on the upper 6 GHz band. Decisions made at WRC-27 will significantly influence which countries will have the spectrum needed for wide-scale 6G deployment. For South Korea, which is highly reliant on global tech supply chains, obtaining early access to 6G spectrum and shaping the standards is of strategic importance.

      Samsung has been carefully establishing its 6G credentials. The company has released a 6G white paper outlining its vision for AI-driven and sustainable communications, showcased 6G technologies with global partners at the Silicon Valley Future Wireless Summit in November 2025, and demonstrated AI-RAN capabilities at Mobile World Congress in March 2026. The collaboration with LG Uplus extends this effort from laboratory testing to practical validation in a functioning commercial network.

      This partnership combines Samsung’s research expertise with LG Uplus’s operational capacity, which is crucial since the performance of ISAC in controlled environments may significantly vary from real-world conditions that involve interference, building reflections, and fluctuating traffic loads. Samsung’s broader ambitions in AI and semiconductor manufacturing provide it with a vertically integrated role in 6G infrastructure, a position not easily matched by competitors.

      Commercial deployment of 6G is not anticipated until the early 2030s, and ISAC must overcome both technical and regulatory challenges before it can effectively replace dedicated sensing equipment on a large scale. Nevertheless, this technology signifies a substantial shift in the capabilities of wireless networks, and Samsung and LG Uplus are currently testing its practicality beyond the laboratory.