In March, the Finnish Defence Forces, together with Telia and Nokia, completed the first live cross-border handover of a standalone 5G network slice on an operational network.
The trial, conducted during a Nordic exercise, showcased how 5G can support mission-critical functions for defence and other essential sectors by maintaining secure and continuous connectivity as units move between countries.
During the test, a dedicated 5G slice preserved an uninterrupted, secure data connection while transferring across three separate Telia-operated national networks. This capability is increasingly important for modern military operations, where personnel often operate in multinational coalitions and need reliable, seamless access to connected applications and services across borders.
Major General Jarmo Vähätiitto of the Finnish Defence Command and Chief of C5 commented that the trial represents a significant milestone in demonstrating 5G’s dual-use potential—strengthening defence communications while enhancing interoperability within NATO environments.
“We are pleased to have worked with Nokia and Telia on this project and look forward to further opportunities to integrate 5G into our operations,” he said.
Network slicing—reserving dedicated capacity within a 5G network for specific services or customers—was central to achieving the security and reliability required for mission-critical communications in the exercise.
Jari Collin, CTO at Telia Finland, noted that 5G and network slicing make secure, mission-critical communications possible. “In collaboration with the Finnish Defence Forces and Nokia, we are pioneering the use of commercial technology for critical defence communications,” he said, adding that the trial demonstrates commercial 5G networks can meet defence requirements.
Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia, described seamless cross-border 5G slice continuity as a breakthrough for defence operations. “It enables secure and reliable communications for collaborative missions that extend beyond national territories,” he said, underscoring Nokia’s commitment to delivering robust 5G solutions to defence customers.
Beyond defence, Telia has already implemented 5G network slicing for demanding commercial use cases in industries such as broadcasting and mining, illustrating the technology’s flexibility and applicability across sectors that require predictable performance and enhanced security.
(Image credit: Telia)
Related coverage: Samsung and KT are collaborating to address 6G signal quality challenges.
Planning a digital transformation update? Consider attending events like Digital Transformation Week, which brings together industry-focused conferences on topics such as IoT, AI and Big Data, and Cyber Security & Cloud.
Discover other enterprise technology events and webinars organized by TechForge.