Ericsson and Telia Sweden have teamed up with the Swedish Armed Forces to test 5G Standalone technologies in support of national defense and NATO operations. The initiative falls under the NorthStar 5G innovation program, launched by the two telecommunication firms in 2023 to advance industrial 5G use.
According to Ericsson, the testing will evaluate secure connectivity for critical military services, including tracking vehicles, personnel and equipment, and providing temporary coverage in remote areas.
Niclas Backlund, head of Ericsson’s global customer unit for Telia, said the company is committed to supporting the Swedish military with its 5G solutions. “5G is the most versatile technology for meeting high demands for secure, fast and adaptable communication of audio, data, images and video,” he said.
The tests also aim to improve interoperability and enable rapid deployment within NATO.
Brig. Gen. Mattias Hanson, chief information officer of the Swedish Armed Forces, highlighted the need to use the latest technology and private sector innovation to strengthen Sweden’s defense capabilities. “This cooperation brings the two together and paves the way for us to take a leading role in 5G within the NATO alliance,” he added.
The partnership is the latest in Ericsson’s tech collaborations. The Canadian government previously committed $56.8 million to support Ericsson‘s domestic 5G development. The Stockholm-based connectivity solutions provider also recently partnered with IBM UK and Palo Alto Networks to build a new emergency services network, servicing over 300,000 first responders across England, Wales and Scotland.