In a strategic move, Ericsson has undertaken trials of a maritime 5G Standalone (SA) network, collaborating with defense giant Leonardo and the Italian Navy. This trial is part of Ericsson’s broader push into the defense sector, a decision influenced by a plateau in the radio access network (RAN) market.
Conducted off Italy’s coast, the trial involved two naval vessels and was part of the Italian Navy’s Operational Experimentation (OPEX) 2-25 initiative in the Gulf of Taranto. Ericsson’s aim was to demonstrate the capabilities of its Ultra Compact Core and Massive MIMO Radio Access Network platforms. Key features of the trial included the installation of 5G SA equipment on a lead ship, with customer premises equipment (CPE) set up on a second ship. This setup facilitated secure, real-time communication between vessels using Leonardo’s NINE encryption solution. The data exchanged included full situational awareness from the Combat Management System and video streams from 12 unmanned systems.
Freddie Södergren, head of mission-critical networks at Ericsson, highlighted the significance of this collaboration, framing it as a milestone in advancing defense capabilities via 5G technology. He stated, “This successful trial with Leonardo and the Italian Navy represents a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to advancing defense capabilities through 5G technology.”
This initiative aligns with the recent statements by Ericsson CEO Börje Ekholm. In a corporate earnings call, Ekholm underscored the plan to direct more resources towards mission-critical and enterprise markets, recognizing areas where the company possesses an inherent advantage. He mentioned, “In this environment, we plan to increase investments in defense during 2026 while continuing to optimize our cost base to support margins and cash flow generation.”
Despite the burgeoning deployment of 5G SA networks, monetization remains slow, according to Omdia’s report. Although 5G SA offers superior technology with features like built-in network slicing for tailored connectivity, operators report difficulties in capitalizing on it. Most operators, even after soft-launching 5G SA in 2025, find that their efforts to monetize remain lackluster.
Nevertheless, Ericsson‘s trial underscores the potential of 5G SA technologies beyond consumer use, suggesting significant impact in demanding environments like defense. Optimized for edge computing, 5G SA can offer robust connectivity solutions crucial for sectors needing steadfast communications. This sets a new precedent, where 5G SA could unlock use cases that conventional 5G networks cannot support.
