·The company deploys a private 5G network and a comprehensive ecosystem of command-and-control applications to support the operations of NATO personnel deployed in the European country and enable use cases to be carried out in a real-world environment.
·The three-year project enables the integration of artificial intelligence capabilities for drones, counter-drone systems, extended reality and secure communications, leveraging the potential of 5G and future generations of mobile technologies.

Telefónica has been selected by the Ministry of Defence to provide the advanced communications infrastructure required to operate the new Controlled Experimentation Centre for 5G technologies, established by the Ministry under a NATO mandate at a military site in Slovakia.

The project includes the design, supply, deployment, integration and maintenance of a complete private 5G network to support the operations of deployed personnel and facilitate the testing of new use cases in a real-world environment. These include AI and extended reality capabilities, secure communications, as well as the use of drones and counter-drone capabilities against non-allied drones.

Building on this infrastructure, Telefónica will deploy an advanced technology ecosystem including a command-and-control system that will enable exercises to be carried out at strategic, operational and tactical levels. The project will also include the supply of rugged mobile devices, tablets, 5G SIM cards and other network equipment.

Javier López Gutierrez, Director of Defence and Security at Telefónica España, said: “The launch of this Controlled Experimentation Centre is highly significant as it will enable us to explore the full potential of 5G technologies and their evolution towards future generations of mobile technology (xG) in real-world defence scenarios. This project will enable us to deliver more and better services by validating new digital capabilities that will accelerate the adoption of innovative solutions by the military, help improve effectiveness, security and interoperability in this field, and strengthen national sovereignty through a key initiative for the defence sector.”

The project, carried out in collaboration with Atika, also involves other technology companies, including Nokia, which will provide the 5G radio solutions; XRF, which will provide the command-and-control capabilities; and Zebra Technologies, which will supply the devices.

In addition to the technology deployment, Telefónica will be responsible for all project engineering, the physical installation of the equipment, configuration and commissioning of the solution, functionality and security testing, user training, and knowledge transfer to Ministry of Defence personnel. The company will also provide support, operation and maintenance services for a period of three years, including warranty coverage, technology upgrades and specialist assistance.

Proven experience in NATO environments

The contract further strengthens Telefónica’s position as a leading technology partner in the Defence and Security sector. Recently, the company achieved a technological milestone during NATO’s LOLE 2026 (Loyal Leda) exercise by connecting, for the first time, two land force headquarters from different Allied countries through a tactical 5G bubble.

During the exercise, which took place between Spain and Slovakia, Telefónica successfully interconnected the command posts of both countries through a combination of radio-link and satellite connectivity technologies, creating a secure, resilient and autonomous solution capable of being deployed in any scenario. The initiative enabled the validation of cross-border communications, mobile video calls, command-and-control systems and virtual reality applications over a private 5G infrastructure, demonstrating the ability to integrate advanced technologies into multinational operations.

The experience gained through projects of this kind further consolidates Telefónica’s ability to deploy private 5G networks in tactical environments, integrate different communications systems and contribute to the development of advanced digital capabilities that strengthen interoperability, security and European technological sovereignty.