Telefonica Advances 5G Applications for Military Use with Slovak Defence Centre Contract

Image: Illustrative image · Elsapucai · Public domain · Source

Telefonica secured a contract to deploy private 5G network infrastructure at Slovakia's NATO-mandated defence technology testing centre, aiming to accelerate adoption of 5G-enabled military applications including AI, extended reality, and secure communications.

Telefonica has won a significant contract to provide private 5G network infrastructure for the Controlled Experimentation Centre for 5G technologies in Slovakia, a facility founded under a NATO mandate to advance defence technology testing. The project represents a strategic effort to explore and validate the potential of 5G and its future evolutions for military applications.

The deployment includes a comprehensive setup involving command-and-control systems designed to facilitate military exercises across strategic, operational, and tactical levels. Telefonica is collaborating with sector specialist Atika Technologies on the initiative, which also integrates radio equipment from Nokia, command-and-control solutions from XRF, and endpoint devices supplied by Zebra Technologies.

Planned use cases within the centre encompass advanced military technologies such as artificial intelligence, extended reality, secure communications, and capabilities for drone protection. The site will be equipped with rugged mobile devices, tablets, 5G SIM cards, and corresponding network equipment to support these scenarios.

Javier Lopez Gutierrez, Telefonica Espana's director of defence and security, emphasized the importance of the centre, highlighting it as a key platform to harness 5G's capabilities in real-world defence contexts. He noted that the project aims to validate new digital capabilities that can enhance military effectiveness, security, interoperability, and strengthen national sovereignty through innovative defence solutions.

This initiative aligns with growing industry expectations that 5G and beyond will play a crucial role in enabling advanced military communication, operational efficiency, and new tactical capabilities. Telefonica's work with the Slovak centre marks a notable step towards integrating next-generation mobile technologies into defence sectors.

The Controlled Experimentation Centre’s focus on practical, operational testing will provide valuable insights into how 5G can support the evolving needs of modern military forces. As governments and defence agencies increasingly recognize the importance of cutting-edge connectivity in security realms, Telefonica’s project may accelerate broader adoption of 5G-based solutions in defence environments.