In the evolving landscape of telecommunications, Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) is emerging as a cornerstone technology that aims to transform how networks operate and serve mobile users. As part of the upcoming 6G era and IMT-2030 vision, ISAC holds immense potential to revolutionize cellular network capabilities. It combines communication functions with precise sensing, positioning, and tracking.
Like the scientific pioneers who first studied ISAC in the 1960s, modern telcos envision improved efficiency, lower latency, and new use cases with the technology. Although its concept has been floating around the brightest minds in the telecoms industry for decades, ISAC has failed to live up to its potential due to technical limitations. After years of significant technological strides, converting a cellular network into an ISAC system is closer to becoming a reality.
Despite the growing consensus around ISAC's significance, it is an extremely complex technology. Questions remain about how it will be implemented, what technologies it will leverage, and which frequency bands will be most viable. ABI Research Senior Research Director Dimitris Mavrakis sets out to answer these questions.
Efforts to formalize ISAC standards are fully underway, driven by leading standards bodies such as The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). These organizations aim to consolidate research, develop clear guidelines, and ensure global alignment on ISAC technology. For instance, 3GPP has begun discussions on ISAC through its feasibility studies, with preliminary use cases outlined in TR 22.837. With these efforts, 3GPP can create more comprehensive standards in Release 19 by late 2025 and Release 20 by mid-2027.
Likewise, ETSI has formed an Industry Specifications Group (ISG) that includes working groups dedicated to 6G use case development, channel modeling, system architecture, sustainability, and addressing security concerns. The ISG’s objective is to streamline industry-wide Research and Development (R&D) for integrated sensing and communications. The group’s first deliverable is expected in late 2024 and will detail ISAC’s primary applications. In turn, this ISG will pave the way for formal specifications in the near future.
The road to ISAC’s full integration into telecommunications infrastructure requires several advanced technologies. Many of these components already exist within current cellular frameworks, but adaptations are necessary for them to meet ISAC-specific needs.
Another technological concept introduced the idea of incorporating sensing into a communication environment, known as Joint Communications and Sensing (JSAC). While there isn’t a strict definition distinguishing JSAC from ISAC, the industry generally agrees on their differences:
In this context, ISAC can be viewed as a specific subset of JSAC, with the long-term goal of operating using a unified waveform. Despite this, the industry has widely embraced the term ISAC.
Deciding which frequency bands ISAC should operate in is complex, as spectrum is a valuable and finite resource. While lower frequencies (e.g., 3.5 Gigahertz (GHz), known as the C-band) are ideal for widespread 5G applications, they are unlikely candidates for ISAC due to congestion concerns. Instead, higher frequency bands in the FR2 (26.5 – 71 GHz) or FR3 (7.125 – 24.25 GHz) ranges may provide suitable solutions. They offer the bandwidth needed for precise sensing, while minimizing interference with existing services.
Table 1: Pros and Cons of ISAC in Different Spectral Bands
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ISAC in FR2/FR3 |
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(Source: ABI Research)
ISAC can potentially revolutionize both consumer and enterprise markets by enabling new use cases that traditional networks cannot support. While earlier cellular technologies focused on improving network efficiency, ISAC enables innovative functionality that can transform sectors such as health, public safety, and autonomous systems.
One intriguing use case involves using 6G Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) to detect intruders within a home. Using ISAC technology, multiple small cells could detect movement and environmental changes, alerting homeowners or security personnel. This capability, similar to advanced home security systems, opens up new monetization opportunities for telco operators to offer security-focused services.
In-home health monitoring is another promising application. ISAC could enable non-invasive tracking of vital signs, such as breathing and heart rate, for elderly or at-risk individuals. Unlike wearable devices, ISAC-powered small cells would allow for continuous, unobtrusive monitoring across an entire home. Although Wi-Fi-based systems exist, a carrier-grade solution from mobile operators could provide a more robust, scalable alternative for health monitoring.
In public safety, ISAC could enable real-time search and rescue capabilities. ISAC-equipped base stations could locate individuals during natural disasters or criminal incidents, assisting first responders in search and rescue efforts. First responders can gain a comprehensive view of their surroundings by combining ISAC with Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies.
Other ISAC use cases under consideration include:
By merging sensing and communication, ISAC expands cellular network capabilities far beyond their traditional roles. From healthcare to public safety, ISAC will create new value for consumers and industries alike. It will also empower mobile operators to generate new revenue streams by supporting previously untapped applications.
However, the journey to fully integrated systems will be gradual. Indeed, ABI Research does not expect widespread commercialization of ISAC until beyond the 2030 goal, when $/Hertz (Hz) rivals consumer mobile broadband revenue. Until the industry reaches this point, standardization, R&D, and workshops like the European Union’s (EU) HEXA-X will be paramount.
For a comprehensive look into ISAC’s evolving role and how telco operators can maximize its potential, download our PDF whitepaper, Optimizing Network Performance with Sustainable Passive Antennas.
Dimitris Mavrakis, Senior Research Director, manages ABI Research’s telco network and cloud computing coverage, including hybrid cloud platforms, digital transformation, and mobile network infrastructure. Research topics include AI and machine learning in telco networks, hybrid cloud deployments and technologies, telco software and applications, 5G, 6G, cloud-native networks, and both telco and cloud ecosystems