Trends
DoW selects InterDigital to pioneer civil-military spectrum sharing research
The U.S. Department of War (DoW) has appointed InterDigital to lead a coalition researching advanced mid-band spectrum coexistence technologies, aiming to enable radar systems and commercial 5G networks to share frequencies more effectively. The project raises questions about technical risk, commerc…
Headline
The U.S. Department of War (DoW) has appointed InterDigital to lead a coalition researching advanced mid-band spectrum coexistence technologies, aiming to enable radar systems and commercial 5G networks to share frequencies more effectively. The project raises questions about…
Context
What happened: DoW appoints InterDigital to spearhead AI-driven spectrum-sharing research On 9 October 2025, InterDigital announced it had been granted a contract by the U.S. Department of War (DoW) to lead research and field demonstrations of advanced spectrum coexistence techniques. The project convenes a coalition that includes DeepSig , Skylark Wireless , along with other collaborators such as Virginia Tech and Radisys .
Evidence
Pending intelligence enrichment.
Analysis
The focus is on mid-band frequencies, which are prized for their balance of coverage and capacity, and are heavily contested by both defence radar systems and commercial wireless networks. The team intends to build on prior dynamic spectrum sharing work, incorporating new innovations such as low-latency AI-based distributed spectrum sensing and local interference mitigation at base stations and user equipment. Details such as the contract’s financial value, duration, or performance milestones were not publicly disclosed. Also read: Microsoft disables AI services to Israeli military unit Also read: Germany warns of Russian space threat to military satellites The initiative is significant for several reasons:
Key Points
- InterDigital will head a consortium including DeepSig and Skylark Wireless to demonstrate dynamic spectrum sharing using AI, sensing, and 5G systems.
- The aim is to preserve reliable military radar operations while unlocking under-utilised mid-band frequencies for commercial use — though costs, timelines and success are uncertain.
Actions
Pending intelligence enrichment.
