Verizon and Ericsson Achieve Global Milestone with First Outdoor 6G Field Call

On October 15, 2026, Verizon and Ericsson proclaimed a groundbreaking achievement in telecommunications by successfully executing the first pre-standard 6G field call in the 7 GHz spectrum. This notable event took place at a commercial site in Concord, California, signaling a pivotal leap forward in the evolution of connectivity technologies.

A Collaborative Effort

The success of this outdoor call underscores the robust partnership between Verizon and Ericsson, with both companies actively working to transition 6G from theoretical concepts into practical applications. As Yago Tenorio, Verizon's Chief Technology Officer and SVP of Technology Development, stated, "This outdoor 6G milestone demonstrates how close industry collaboration helps us generate the key technical insights needed to shape global standards." This collaborative spirit aims to create an open, diversified ecosystem that can effectively pave the way for future advancements in 6G.

Technical Details

The field test involved the deployment of a complete Ericsson 6G proof-of-concept kit specifically designed for real-world assessments. The parameters of the test included not only outdoor performance but also the transition of signals from outdoor to indoor environments. The user equipment was placed within a small house on wheels that spanned approximately 12-by-8 feet, equipped with various materials to evaluate indoor signal coverage. This setup facilitated comprehensive testing under realistic conditions, encompassing challenges such as line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight paths, obstacles, and various building materials' effects on signal penetration.

The results of these tests characterized critical performance metrics such as coverage, throughput, latency, and stability in both open-air and indoor settings. These metrics are essential for understanding how future 6G networks could be designed, deployed, and experienced by end users.

Future Implications of 6G

While this milestone is significant, it is important to note that it represents a pre-standard demonstration rather than the launch of a commercial 6G service. Verizon and Ericsson will continuously analyze the data collected from this test, applying their findings to subsequent research and deployment strategies for 6G. Over time, 6G is poised to revolutionize connectivity, enabling a plethora of new applications across various sectors, including immersive communications, AI-driven services, industrial automation, and robotics.

Conclusion

In summary, the successful completion of the first outdoor 6G field call marks a historic progression toward the next generation of mobile technology. As pre-standard innovations are refined and tested further, the promise of 6G stands to unlock unprecedented levels of connectivity and technological innovation. Verizon and Ericsson are at the forefront of this transformation, and their ongoing collaboration will undoubtedly play a vital role in shaping the future of global communication networks.

For further updates on the journey to 6G, stay connected with Verizon and Ericsson as they continue their efforts to transform how we experience connectivity in everyday life.