> For network operators, it raises a different question: could the infrastructure that already generates subscriber revenue also generate a second, sensing-based revenue stream?

That's kind of strange. What are you going to sense that the cellular network doesn't already know? Air traffic? Car traffic? Drones?

The most useful application for this is probably drone detection. We might see this rolled out in China, which is setting up traffic control for the "low altitude economy".[1] This includes drones, now, and flying cars, soon. There's also interest in tracking balloons, traditional hot-air flying lanterns, and other small sky traffic obstructions. As usual, Shenzhen leads in this area.

[1] https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/10/16/chinas-low-altitude-eco...

Flying cars already exist, they're called helicopters.