--- title: "Networks that sense | Nexus Observatory" description: "The framework for 6G names integrated sensing and communication as one of its usage scenarios: the same radio that carries data also measures range…" url: https://observatory.global/stories/sensing-networks-6g/ publisher: Nexus Observatory Inc. updated: 2026-10-31 --- [Stories](https://observatory.global/stories/)Horizon 2030: 6G and sensing # Networks that sense The framework for 6G names integrated sensing and communication as one of its usage scenarios: the same radio that carries data also measures range, velocity and presence1. 3GPP has studied the use cases, from drones to weather2. **Systems**: Integrated sensing and communication, Upper mid-band radio, Edge fusion **Toward 2030**: IMT-2030, 6G **Figures**: 4, field scene, systems diagram, data story, timeline to 2030 Go to the references **01** Field scene ## A radio that also sees. A compact radar on a tower top already reads precipitation and movement. In an integrated design, the base station’s own waveform does part of that work, and the sensing results become a network service. On this valley, the radar on the ridge stands in for that future node. Figure as text: A sensing node on the ridge and the cell on the valley floor An alpine valley with a compact radar on the ridge, a cell tower on the floor and its visible ground in red stipple. - Sensing node - Cell site - Edge fusion **02** Systems diagram ## What it is for. The 3GPP study lists more than thirty use cases, among them detecting drones, monitoring traffic, sensing rainfall and protecting people around automated machinery2. Most need the sensing result at the edge within milliseconds and in the cloud only as a summary. Figure as text: Sensing results as a network service A four-tier diagram: sensing targets, base stations that sense, the edge sensing function, and the services that consume the results. - **Targets** : Drone, Vehicles, Rainfall - **Sensing radios** : Base station, Base station - **Sensing function** : Sensing function - **Consumers** : Airspace service, Traffic, Weather service 9 links. Scenarios: Two radios sensing; One radio down. **03** Data story ## Higher bands, finer resolution, shorter reach. Sensing resolution improves with bandwidth, and bandwidth lives higher in the spectrum, where free-space loss is greater3. The upper mid band between the 5G bands and millimetre waves is one focus of the 6G spectrum debate4. Figure as text: Free-space loss at 1 km by band A bar chart of free-space path loss at one kilometre for six bands from 700 MHz to 100 GHz. | Band | Loss | | --- | --- | | 700 MHz | 89.3 | | 1.8 GHz | 97.5 | | 3.5 GHz | 103.3 | | 6 GHz | 108 | | 26 GHz | 120.7 | | 100 GHz | 132.4 | **04** Timeline to 2030 ## The road to IMT-2030. The ITU framework sets the goals; 3GPP studies and then specifies. The dates below are published; the last ones are plans, and plans in standardisation move. Figure as text: From framework to 6G specifications A timeline from 2023 to 2030 with the IMT-2030 framework, the ISAC study, the start of 6G study work and planned 6G specifications. 1. **2023-11** IMT-2030 framework published (ITU-R M.2160). Six usage scenarios including integrated sensing and communication. 1 2. **2023-12** WRC-23 sets the agenda for 2027. Studies of new bands for IMT, including in the upper mid band. 4 3. **2024** Sensing use cases studied (3GPP TR 22.837). Integrated sensing and communication requirements in Release 19. 2 4. **2025-06** 6G study begins. 3GPP starts 6G radio studies in Release 20. 5 5. **2029** First 6G specifications planned. Release 21. 5 6. **2030** IMT-2030 radio interfaces. The ITU process aims to complete its specifications around 2030. 1 Figure 1 Field scene **In sight of the tower top**: 1.93 km² **Share of the patch**: 97 % **Radio horizon, 25 m mast**: 26.4 km **Tower to radar**: 545 m Figure 1. A sensing node on the ridge and the cell on the valley floor. An alpine valley with a compact radar on the ridge, a cell tower on the floor and its visible ground in red stipple. ## References 1. [Recommendation ITU-R M.2160-0: Framework and overall objectives of the future development of IMT for 2030 and beyond](https://www.itu.int/rec/R-REC-M.2160/en) . International Telecommunication Union, Radiocommunication Sector, 2023. 2. [3GPP TR 22.837: Feasibility study on integrated sensing and communication (Release 19)](https://www.3gpp.org/DynaReport/22837.htm) . 3rd Generation Partnership Project, 2024. 3. [Recommendation ITU-R P.525: Calculation of free-space attenuation](https://www.itu.int/rec/R-REC-P.525/en) . International Telecommunication Union, Radiocommunication Sector, 2019. 4. [World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC-23): Final Acts](https://www.itu.int/wrc-23/) . International Telecommunication Union, 2023. 5. [Releases: the timeline of 3GPP Releases 17 to 21](https://www.3gpp.org/specifications-technologies/releases) . 3rd Generation Partnership Project, 2025. ## Related stories [System: Private 5G and AI-RAN **Private 5G with the inference in the radio** A private cellular network gives a site its own coverage, its own security and its own priorities. AI-RAN adds a second idea: the accelerators that run the…](https://observatory.global/stories/private-5g-ai-ran/) [Place: Airspace and drones **A shared sky below 120 metres** Flying beyond visual line of sight turns a drone from a camera on a stick into infrastructure. It needs a command link that holds, an identity others can…](https://observatory.global/stories/airspace-drones/) [Horizon 2030: Overview **What changes by 2030** Six shifts will reshape how the Earth is observed before the decade ends: networks that sense, models that forecast, foundation models that read imagery,…](https://observatory.global/stories/horizon-2030/) ## Where this applies [Connectivity](https://observatory.global/connectivity/)[Sensors & instruments](https://observatory.global/sensors/)[Edge compute & AI](https://observatory.global/edge-ai/)[Frontier labs](https://observatory.global/labs/)[Telecom](https://observatory.global/industries/telecom/)[Transport](https://observatory.global/industries/transport/)[Public safety](https://observatory.global/industries/public-safety/)[Climate](https://observatory.global/industries/climate/)[Field tour: mountain valley](https://observatory.global/environments/mountain-valley/)[Field tour: city block](https://observatory.global/environments/city-block/) © 2026 Nexus Observatory Inc. **Legal** [Privacy notice](https://observatory.global/legal/privacy/) · [Terms of use](https://observatory.global/legal/terms/) · [Cookie policy](https://observatory.global/legal/cookies/) · [Accessibility](https://observatory.global/legal/accessibility/) · [Official languages](https://observatory.global/official-languages/) · [Notices](https://observatory.global/notices/) **Company** [About](https://observatory.global/about/) · [Open governance](https://observatory.global/consortium/) · [Contact](https://observatory.global/contact/)