Verizon is gearing up for more trials of 6G use cases and wants to use 4GHz midband spectrum to test object sensing in and around its lab in Los Angeles.
Verizon Wireless (under the company name Cellco Partnership) has applied for an experimental license to use the 4.8GHz-4.9GHz band to “demonstrate 5G advanced technology use cases such as object sensing as a precursor to 6G integrated sensing and communication (ISAC),” according to its application filings. [Ed. note: Hat tip to wireless consulting engineer Steve Crowley, who first spotted Verizon’s application.]
The carrier requested the temporary license for one year to test Ericsson software and hardware in and around its lab in Los Angeles. The application also includes equipment from Samsung.
The filing describes a test system that would comprise Ericsson radios set up outdoors as a private network operating within a five-kilometer radius and separate from commercial networks in the area.
The application is pending approval, but the license is expected to be granted soon “if there are no significant concerns” from the FCC, according to Crowley.
Verizon argued in its filing that its proposed use of the spectrum band “serves the public interest and should be granted” because it “will allow Verizon Wireless to pursue the development of future 6G technology.”
“This work will facilitate the adoption of use cases across commercial, public safety, and defense sectors,” it said.
Testing prime band in the 6G pipeline
The 4.8GHz-4.9GHz spectrum falls within the so-called 4.4GHz band (4400MHz-4940MHz) that the NTIA has identified for study to repurpose for commercial licensed use as part of the US plan to make more frequencies available for 5G and 6G.
Verizon is one of the first to apply for a test license in 4.4GHz specifically for 6G-related trials, according to Crowley. He noted it is also first time the carrier has requested a test license in any of the frequencies under study, which include 1.6GHz, 2.7GHz, 4.4GHz and 7GHz.
In 2026, “several applications to test drone-related technology in all or part of the 4.4-4.9GHz range have been granted, but these seem not directly related to 6G,” he said.
Samsung Research America requested an experimental license this month to use 4720MHz-4820MHz in Plano, Texas, but its application did not specify use cases to be tested.
The CTIA refers to the band as 4GHz, which rolls off the tongue a bit better than 4.4GHz. The group published a report this week to make an economic and technical case for the “prime midband spectrum” and urged policymakers to move quickly on studies this fall.
It described 4GHz as the “a cornerstone” of the US spectrum pipeline, along with upper C-band, 2.7GHz and 7GHz, because it offers potential 400MHz of bandwidth and already has some equipment and device support. Further, it is a “compelling alternative” to China’s push for licensed use of the 6GHz band in spectrum negotiations at next year’s ITU World Radiocommunication Conference.
Getting in shape for LA Olympics
The planned tests in LA will add to the work Verizon has been doing with sensing use cases using existing 5G technology.
The carrier shared details this week of a demo it conducted with Samsung to detect crowd density at a summer soccer event in Dallas. Another trial with Qualcomm tested drone safety tracking over 5G.
Verizon added nine new members to its 6G Innovation Forum this week and signaled intent to test more use cases in the areas of ISAC, digital twins, robotics, AI and wearables.
The new members are Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cisco, Intel, Keysight Technologies, MediaTek, Nvidia, Palo Alto Networks, Rohde & Schwarz and Viavi Solutions. They join founding members Ericsson, Samsung, Nokia, Meta and Qualcomm Technologies.
The carrier has applied to participate in NTIA’s Mission 6G 28 program that will showcase 6G technologies during the 2028 Olympic Games in LA. The agency has received 28 letters of intent from companies interested in supporting the effort and expects to announce the demos in March 2027.
Verizon said the Olympics are the “ultimate interim proving ground” ahead of commercial 6G rollout. Its request to the FCC to use the 4GHz band to demo sensing in LA could be part of the training regime to get its tech and spectrum options in shape for the games.
