In partnership with Telia and Nokia, the Finnish military has conducted the first standalone 5G slice handover between multiple countries on a live network.
The trial, which took place in March as part of a Nordic exercise, demonstrates the potential of 5G to deliver mission-critical capabilities for defence and other essential sectors.
The test involved maintaining a continuous and secure data connection within a dedicated 5G network slice as it moved across three separate networks in three different Telia-operated countries. This capability is deemed crucial for modern defence forces, where personnel increasingly operate in international coalitions and require seamless access to connected applications and services beyond national borders.
Jarmo Vähätiitto, Major General, Finnish Defence Command and Chief of C5, said: “This trial marks a significant milestone in showcasing the dual-use possibilities of 5G for defence 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.”
The use of network slicing, which involves reserving specific capacity within a 5G network for particular services or customers, is key to ensuring the security and reliability required for mission-critical communications.
Jari Collin, CTO at Telia Finland, explained: “5G and network slicing enable secure, mission-critical communications. In collaboration with the Finnish Defence Forces and Nokia, we’re pioneering the use of commercial technology for critical defence communications.
“This trial meets the Defence Forces’ needs and proves that commercial 5G networks can be utilised in this domain.”
Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia, added: “Seamless 5G slice continuity over borders is a breakthrough for defence operations, enabling secure and reliable communications for collaborative missions that extend beyond national territories.
“Our trial with Telia and the Finnish Defence Forces reflects our commitment to delivering robust 5G solutions for defence customers, helping them achieve mission-critical objectives.”
Beyond its application in the defence sector, Telia has also recently deployed 5G network slicing for customers in the broadcast and mining industries—highlighting the versatility of slicing for various demanding applications.
(Image credit: Telia)
See also: Samsung and KT partner to counter 6G signal quality challenges
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