Verizon is taking a major step toward the next generation of mobile wireless communications, setting its sights on advanced trials for 6G use cases. The carrier has formally applied for an experimental license to utilize the 4GHz midband spectrum to test cutting-edge object sensing capabilities in and around its research and development laboratory in Los Angeles.
According to regulatory filings submitted under the company name Cellco Partnership, Verizon Wireless is requesting temporary authority to use the 4.8GHz to 4.9GHz frequency band. The stated goal of the application is to demonstrate advanced 5G technology use cases, specifically object sensing, as a critical precursor to 6G integrated sensing and communication, widely known in the industry as ISAC. Wireless consulting engineer Steve Crowley first brought public attention to the application through his filings analysis.
The carrier has requested the temporary license for a duration of one year to thoroughly test software and hardware provided by Ericsson. The proposed testbed also integrates equipment manufactured by Samsung, underscoring a collaborative industry effort to validate equipment performance in the targeted frequencies.
Testing a Prime Band in the 6G Pipeline
The specific spectrum band targeted by Verizon in its application falls squarely within the broader 4.4GHz band, spanning from 4400MHz to 4940MHz. This range has been identified by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for comprehensive study and potential repurposing for commercial licensed use. The initiative is a core component of broader United States strategic plans to systematically clear and allocate more frequencies to support the evolution of both 5G and future 6G networks.
Industry observers note that Verizon’s move marks a significant milestone. According to regulatory tracking, Verizon is one of the very first telecommunications operators to apply for a test license within the 4.4GHz range specifically tailored for 6G-related trials. Furthermore, this represents the first time the carrier has requested an experimental test license in any of the frequency ranges currently under active federal study, a pipeline that also includes the 1.6GHz, 2.7GHz, and 7GHz bands.
While several applications aimed at testing drone-related technologies across parts of the 4.4GHz to 4.9GHz range have already been granted, those initiatives are generally considered distinct from direct 6G development efforts. Additionally, other major technology players are beginning to eye the neighborhood; Samsung Research America recently submitted an experimental license request this month to utilize frequencies between 4720MHz and 4820MHz in Plano, Texas, though its specific testing use cases were not detailed in the filing.
The broader telecommunications industry lobby, CTIA, frequently refers to this range simply as the 4GHz band, highlighting its strategic value. The organization recently published an economic and technical report making a robust case for the optimization of what it terms "prime midband spectrum," urging policymakers to accelerate technical studies. The CTIA describes the 4GHz range as a cornerstone of the domestic spectrum pipeline, sitting alongside the upper C-band, 2.7GHz, and 7GHz allocations. It offers a potential 400MHz of contiguous bandwidth alongside existing equipment and device support, positioning it as a compelling domestic alternative to international spectrum pushes, such as China’s advocacy for licensed use of the 6GHz band at upcoming global radiocommunication conferences.
Building Out the Technical Infrastructure
Under the parameters described in Verizon’s pending regulatory filing, the proposed Los Angeles test system would rely heavily on Ericsson radios configured outdoors. The setup is designed to operate as a private network within a five-kilometer radius, ensuring it remains entirely separate from surrounding commercial mobile networks to prevent interference and maintain data integrity.
The application is currently pending approval from the Federal Communications Commission. However, industry experts anticipate that the license will be granted in the near future, provided no significant regulatory or interference concerns are raised during the public review window. In its formal filings, Verizon argued that granting the request directly serves the public interest, asserting that the trials will accelerate the development of future 6G capabilities that ultimately benefit commercial markets, public safety agencies, and defense sectors alike.
Preparing for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
The planned trials in Southern California build upon a growing body of work Verizon has already undertaken regarding network sensing applications using existing 5G infrastructure. Just this week, the carrier shared operational details of a high-profile demonstration conducted in partnership with Samsung, which successfully measured crowd density at a major summer soccer event held in Dallas. In a separate initiative, Verizon collaborated with Qualcomm to test drone safety tracking over active 5G networks.
To bolster its research roadmap, Verizon significantly expanded its 6G Innovation Forum this week by welcoming nine new heavy-hitting members. The new participants—Amazon Web Services, Cisco, Intel, Keysight Technologies, MediaTek, Nvidia, Palo Alto Networks, Rohde & Schwarz, and Viavi Solutions—join founding members Ericsson, Samsung, Nokia, Meta, and Qualcomm Technologies. This expanded consortium aims to test and refine use cases spanning ISAC, digital twins, advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, and connected wearables.
Looking ahead, Verizon has also applied to participate in the NTIA’s Mission 6G 28 program. This federal initiative is designed to showcase next-generation 6G technologies to the public on a global stage during the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The NTIA has already received 28 formal letters of intent from organizations eager to support the showcase and expects to officially announce the selected technology demonstrations by March 2027.
For mobile network operators, the Olympic Games represent a massive, high-density proving ground ahead of commercial 6G deployments. Verizon’s latest push to secure FCC approval for testing 4GHz sensing capabilities in Los Angeles serves as a foundational step in a rigorous training regime, designed to ensure its technological readiness and spectrum portfolio are fully prepared for the world stage in 2028.
