Today’s telecom news includes announcements on Lockheed Martin, Verizon, NVIDIA, Keysight Technologies, Astris AI, NetSense, VIAVI Solutions, Vertex 6.0, among others.
Lockheed Martin, Verizon and NVIDIA Turn 5G into an AI-Powered Drone Detection Network
Lockheed Martin, Verizon, NVIDIA, Keysight Technologies, ODC and Astris AI demonstrated NetSense, an AI-enabled airspace awareness system that uses existing 5G infrastructure to detect, identify and track unmanned aircraft systems. During a July demonstration near Miami, the solution leveraged Verizon’s 5G spectrum, ODC’s AI-native RAN software, NVIDIA AI Aerial and Keysight RF simulation technology to detect drones and maintain flight tracking in real time. NetSense analyzes RF disturbances to predict flight paths and automatically generate alerts, offering applications across airports, utilities, stadiums, hospitals, schools and other critical sites. The partners plan pilot deployments in the second half of 2026 and early 2027, with commercial availability targeted for 2027.
VIAVI Unveils 6G and Wi-Fi 7/8 Channel Emulator With 400 MHz Bandwidth
VIAVI Solutions has introduced Vertex 6.0, which it describes as the industry’s first channel emulator designed for next-generation 6G and Wi-Fi 7/8 testing. The platform provides 400 MHz instantaneous bandwidth and supports carrier frequencies up to 23.6 GHz, enabling engineers to reproduce complex real-world RF propagation conditions in laboratory environments. Vertex 6.0 supports 6G waveforms, FR3 bands, Wi-Fi 7/8, AI-RAN and Integrated Sensing and Communication applications, while also covering military, aerospace and non-terrestrial network scenarios. The system supports up to 1 GHz of cellular bandwidth, 320 MHz Wi-Fi channels and 4096 QAM, with configurations from 2×2 to 8×8. The platform is designed to help manufacturers identify performance issues earlier in development.
Nokia Shares Gain as AI Demand Boosts Networking Outlook
Nokia shares moved above the €9 level as investors responded to stronger expectations for AI-driven networking demand and supportive regulatory developments, although the company continues to face challenges from supply constraints and weakness in traditional telecom markets. The market reaction reflects growing investor focus on Nokia’s exposure to the infrastructure required to support expanding AI workloads, particularly networking equipment. At the same time, supply limitations could restrict the company’s ability to fully capitalize on rising demand, while softer conditions in parts of the telecom sector remain a headwind. The combination highlights Nokia’s transition toward higher-growth network infrastructure opportunities while investors continue to assess whether AI demand can offset weakness across its conventional telecommunications business.
SHAFANA FAZAL
