'World-first' 5G standalone slice handover across borders

Nokia, Telia and the Finnish Defence Forces have successfully conducted what they claim to be the world’s first seamless 5G standalone slice handover between multiple countries in a live network. This groundbreaking trial, carried out in Finland in March, is said to represent a significant milestone in advancing critical 5G capabilities for defence and other mission-critical industries.

The test, conducted as part of a Nordic training exercise with the Finnish Defence Forces, demonstrated a continuous and secure data connection over a 5G standalone slice while moving across three separate networks in three different countries. This capability is crucial for modern defence forces, as military personnel increasingly operate in coalitions beyond their national territories while requiring uninterrupted access to mission-critical applications and services.

“Seamless 5G slice continuity over country borders is a breakthrough for defence operations, enabling secure and reliable communications for collaborative missions that extend beyond national territories,” noted Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia.

The trial was achieved through 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. Additionally, Nokia’s intelligent network management system, MantaRay NM, provided a consolidated network view, optimising monitoring and management.

“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,” said Major General Jarmo Vähätiitto, Finnish Defence Command ACOS C5. “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.”

“5G and network slicing enable secure, mission-critical communications,” added Jari Collin, CTO at Telia Finland. “In collaboration with the Finnish Defence Forces and Nokia, we are pioneering in using commercial technology for critical defence communications. This trial meets the Defence Forces’ needs and proves that commercial 5G networks can be utilised also in this domain.”

Image credit: The Finnish Defence Forces.