“Telia demonstrated the possibilities of 5G application that
are not seen every day - the company's 5G network was used for remote control
of military armored vehicles.
During military exercises held in the
Lapland region of Finland, a 5G-controlled Patria AMV XP 8x8 armored vehicle
successfully performed tasks without a driver, performing all control from a
command post 100 km away.
It is expected that such application of the mobile network
will help reduce the number of deaths on the battlefield, while opening up new
perspectives for planning and conducting military operations.
“Once upon a time, we played with radio-controlled toy cars
as children, but with 5G, today we can do the same with military equipment
weighing 32 tons and from a distance of hundreds of kilometers. The successful
test in Finland is not just an impressive technology demonstration – it shows
how 5G can radically change the safety of military personnel and tactical
decisions on the battlefield. Soldiers will be able to carry out the most
dangerous missions while being in a safe environment, which means not only
lives saved, but also a new era of military strategy,” says Arūnas Strolia,
Head of Network at Telia.
Key element – network segmentation [1]
Successful
remote control of armored vehicles was ensured by a specific 5G network
component – network slicing. This advanced technology allows for the
virtualization of the physical mobile network into several separate segments,
each of which can be optimized for a specific service. The segment used in the military
exercise was specially configured to provide extremely low latency and
uninterrupted connectivity, essential for real-time vehicle control.
Network
segmentation technology ensures that even within the same physical 5G network,
different users or services can use completely isolated network segments. This
means that although a military armored vehicle and an ordinary 5G user may be
connected to the same telecommunications infrastructure, their data streams
never intersect or interact, thus maintaining maximum security and reliability.
The
modernized Patria AMV XP 8x8 armored personnel carrier, commonly used in
reconnaissance and combat operations, did not lose contact with the command
post during the demonstration, even in the difficult Lapland climate
conditions. Although the operators were more than 100 km away from the armored
vehicles, they were able to see a real-time image from the cameras installed in
the vehicle. During all tests, the connection provided by Telia remained stable
and reliable, ensuring the same effective decision-making as that of an armored
vehicle driver on site.
Dual-use technologies – a future perspective
The armored vehicle control test is an excellent example of
how civilian technologies are successfully applied in the defense sector,
creating so-called dual-use innovations.
5G network
segmentation technology, which is usually used to ensure smooth data
transmission of large enterprises or manufacturing companies, in this case
served well in a militarized environment.
5G communication
can be used for military purposes not only on land - similar tests are already
being conducted with unmanned naval vessels and in airspace.
The Nordic countries pay special attention to the
development of such innovations, and the Finnish example could be applied in
Lithuania in the future, expanding the technological arsenal of our army.
In the military context of recent days, the application of
remote control technologies has become particularly relevant in Ukraine, where
unmanned systems play an increasingly important role every day. Remotely
controlled armored vehicles and other military equipment not only reduce
personnel losses, but also allow operations to be carried out in areas where
human participation would be too risky. 5G technology becomes particularly
important in this context, as it ensures the necessary data transmission speed,
security and reliability in extreme conditions.
“Dual-use technologies – both in the telecommunications and
transport sectors – are exactly what modern Europe needs, as it seeks to
strengthen its defense capabilities and technological independence. Finland is
already showing leadership in this area, and Telia is ready to contribute its
experience and capabilities,” concludes Arūnas Strolia, Head of Telia
Networks.”
1. Network
segmentation is the practice of dividing a large network into smaller, isolated
segments or subnets to improve security, performance, and manageability. This
involves creating boundaries between different network areas, often using
technologies like VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) and firewalls.
The goal is
to restrict the flow of traffic between segments, limiting the potential impact
of security breaches and improving overall network efficiency.
Improved Security:
By isolating
network segments, organizations can prevent unauthorized access to sensitive
data and resources. If a security breach occurs in one segment, it's less
likely to spread to other parts of the network, limiting the damage.
Enhanced Performance:
Reducing
network traffic congestion within individual segments can improve overall
network performance and responsiveness.
Simplified Management:
Network segmentation makes it easier to manage and configure
different parts of the network, allowing administrators to set specific
policies and access controls for each segment.
Compliance:
Network segmentation can help organizations meet specific
industry regulations and compliance requirements by providing granular control
over network access and data flow.
Examples:
A company might create separate segments for its finance
department, human resources, and operations, each with different security
policies and access privileges. Similarly, a bank might segment its network to
restrict access to financial reporting systems for employees in branch offices.
In essence,
network segmentation is a crucial security and management practice that enables
organizations to create more secure, efficient, and manageable networks.
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