The companies were keen to showcase the potential of 5G tech in critical communications for defence units “within coalition environments” on live commercial networks
Nokia, Telia and the Finnish Defense Forces conducted what they say is the world’s first seamless 5G Standalone (SA) slice handover between multiple countries in a live network. This “groundbreaking trial”, was carried out in Finland last month. The parties say it is a milestone in advancing critical 5G capabilities for defence and other mission critical industries.
The test was conducted as part of a Nordic exercise with the Finnish Defense Forces. It demonstrated a continuous and secure data connection over a 5G SA slice while moving across three separate networks in three different countries. The parties say this capability is crucial for modern defence forces, as military personnel increasingly operate in coalitions beyond their national territories and need uninterrupted access to mission-critical applications and services.
Possibilities of dual use
The trial was achieved using Nokia’s 5G Core Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and AirScale 5G base stations powered by ReefShark System-on-Chip technology connected to Telia’s commercial network. Nokia’s intelligent network management system, MantaRay NM, provided a consolidated network view, optimising monitoring and management.
Jarmo Vähätiitto, Major General, Finnish Defense Command, Chief of C5, stated, “This trial marks a…milestone in showcasing the dual-use possibilities of 5G for defense while also enhancing communication capabilities within the NATO domain. We are delighted to have partnered with Nokia and Telia on this project and are eager to explore further opportunities for integrating 5G into our operations.“
Jari Collin, CTO at Telia Finland, added, “5G and network slicing enable secure, mission-critical communications. In collaboration with the Finnish Defense Forces and Nokia, we are pioneering in using commercial technology for critical defense communications. This trial meets the Defense Forces’ needs and proves that commercial 5G networks can be utilized also in this domain.”
