5G technology: Nokia meets with NATO ACT to discuss military applications

Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia, and Mike Loomis, President of Nokia Federal Solutions, met with General Philippe Lavigne, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, to discuss how 5G can revolutionize the Military Instrument of Power. 5G offers significant advantages over previous generations of cellular technology, including vastly increased data speeds, lower latency, and greater overall network capacity. These advancements have the potential to transform how NATO forces operate on the battlefield.

5G’s impact on defence and security

The implications of 5G for defence and security are multifaceted. One key area is the integration of Augmented Reality technology. Augmented Reality overlays digital information onto the real world, allowing soldiers to see vital data projected onto their surroundings. 5G’s high bandwidth and low latency are crucial for seamless Augmented Reality operation, providing soldiers with enhanced situational awareness and improved decision-making capabilities.

However, 5G also presents new security challenges. The increased reliance on interconnected devices creates vulnerabilities that malicious actors could exploit. For instance, a Distributed Denial of Service attack could overwhelm a network with data traffic, rendering it unusable. 5G’s robust security features are crucial to mitigating these threats and ensuring the integrity of military communications.

Nokia: a leader in 5G solutions

Nokia is a major player in the development and deployment of 5G technologies. The company offers a wide range of products and services, from network hardware to software solutions, that can help organizations leverage the power of 5G. In January 2024, Nokia established Nokia Federal Solutions, a dedicated business unit focused on delivering innovative solutions to the U.S. government, including the U.S. Department of Defense.

Discussions at Allied Command Transformation

During their visit to Allied Command Transformation, Uitto and Loomis engaged in discussions on several key topics related to 5G and its potential military applications. These included:

• 5G and Multi-Domain Operations: This discussion centred on how 5G can facilitate new possibilities for NATO’s Multi-Domain Operations concept, which orchestrates military activities across all operating domains and environments. The conversation explored how Allied Command Transformation can leverage expertise from industry leaders like Nokia to shape the future of Multi-Domain Operations.
• 5G and Digital Transformation: The focus here addressed how 5G can integrate with future multi-cloud architectures within NATO and its impact on interoperability between forces.
• 5G and NATO Capability Development: This session explored how 5G can be incorporated into the NATO Defence Planning Process and Common Funded Programmes to enhance the mobility and resilience of allied forces.
• 5G and Interoperability: Discussions in this area focused on ensuring seamless communication between civilian 5G networks and military communications infrastructure.
• 5G and Experimentation: The final discussion point centred on how to incorporate 5G technology into NATO and allied military exercises.

Following their discussions at Allied Command Transformation, Uitto and Loomis toured the U.S. Navy’s 5G Testbed and 5G Lab at the Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic. This visit provided them with first-hand insight into the ongoing development and testing of 5G technologies for military applications.

U.S. Navy’s 5G lab

The Naval Information Warfare Command Atlantic’s Assured Real-Time Communications Laboratory Lab has evolved to become a Joint Interoperability Test Command test centre charged with certifying multi-vendor components. The Lab’s technical capabilities, in addition to its interoperability and cybersecurity certification process familiarity, make it ideal for a variety of uses like testing, optimizations, and interoperability certification of emergent 5G communication technologies, including software-defined networks and cloud migration. The Lab maintains partnerships with industry to facilitate rapid prototyping, acquisition, and artefacts development. The Lab also seeks out collaborations and partnerships with the intent to strengthen ongoing engagement, identify opportunities, and allow for cooperative test and evaluation.

The visit of Nokia representatives to NATO Allied Command Transformation underscores the growing importance of 5G in modern warfare. As 5G technology continues to mature, it has the potential to revolutionize how NATO forces operate, communicate, and make decisions on the battlefield.