Telia, Nokia and Finnish Defense Forces achieve 5G world first

Telia, Nokia and the Finnish Defense Forces have conducted the world’s first standalone 5G slice handover between multiple countries in a live network. The groundbreaking trial demonstrates how 5G is ready to provide mission-critical capabilities for defense and other key sectors.

In the test, carried out in March as part of a Nordic exercise, a continuous and secure data connection was maintained in the slice while moving across three separate networks in three Telia countries.

This ability is crucial for modern defense forces. Today’s personnel are increasingly operating in coalitions beyond national territories and require uninterrupted access to connected applications and services.

Jarmo Vähätiitto, Major General, Finnish Defense Command, Chief of C5: “This trial marks a significant 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: “5G and network slicing enable secure, mission-critical communications. In collaboration with the Finnish Defense Forces and Nokia, we’re pioneering the use of commercial technology for critical defense communications. This trial meets the Defense Forces’ needs and proves that commercial 5G networks can be utilized in this domain.”

Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia: “Seamless 5G slice continuity over borders is a breakthrough for defense operations, enabling secure and reliable communications for collaborative missions that extend beyond national territories. Our trial with Telia and the Finnish Defense Forces reflects our commitment to delivering robust 5G solutions for defense customers, helping them achieve mission-critical objectives.”

A network slice is created by reserving capacity within a 5G network for a specific service or customer. In addition to defense, Telia has recently delivered slices to customers in the broadcast and mining sectors.