Ericsson emphasised the strengths of advanced 5G technology for the defence sector as it got the nod as a supplier under the UK’s Tactical Communication Systems framework for public sector procurement.

The vendor explained it was selected under the sections covering services and components, noting the UK procurement vehicle had a budget of up to £8 billion over its eight-year span.

As a result of its selection, domestic authorities and military agencies are cleared to buy products from across the vendor’s range, including specific 5G offerings for mission critical uses.  

The UK government described the framework as providing it and other public sector organisations with a way to acquire specialised tactical communication and information systems.

Ericsson highlighted how the widely-publicised low latency and high bandwidth qualities of 5G could help armed forces in connecting sensors, personnel and platforms.

Potential applications listed span multi-domain command and control platforms, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems.

Head of Ericsson UK Nadine Allen said it is now able to work directly with the UK’s Ministry of Defence “to deliver secure, resilient and future-proof communications that will serve as the foundation for the UK’s digital defence capabilities for years to come”.

Ericsson and rival Nokia are actively pursuing the defence segment with 5G equipment.

Notable projects announced by the Swedish vendor earlier this year include a standalone 5G trial with specialist Leonardo and the Italian Navy.  

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Viasat demonstrated what it claimed was the first satellite-enabled voice call integrated into a BMW Group vehicle, as the satellite operator targets a larger role for non-terrestrial network (NTN) connectivity in connected cars.

Showcasing the technology during the 5G Automotive Association (5GAA) Meeting Week in Munich, Germany, Viasat used a BMW iX3 Neue Klasse vehicle’s infotainment system to make the call.

The demonstration relied on Viasat’s L-band satellite network and used the NB-IoT protocol, a standards-based technology designed for lower-data-rate communications, to transmit voice.

Viasat used Qualcomm’s automotive connectivity platform, the Snapdragon Auto 5G Modem-RF Gen 2, and German IT research organisation Fraunhofer IIS’ NESC AI-based speech codec to support voice and audio transmission over the satellite network. The technology was integrated into the BMW vehicle’s architecture, allowing the call to be initiated and managed directly through the car interface.

According to Viasat, the trial demonstrated the potential of satellite connectivity to connect drivers and passengers in remote regions and support future automotive applications, including emergency communications, fleet management and messaging in areas with limited cellular availability.

Sandeep Moorthy, senior VP of advanced non-terrestrial solutions at Viasat, said the feat aims “to ensure consistent, resilient satellite capabilities for next-generation vehicles”, adding that “by bringing standards-based NTN to vehicles, we can integrate satellite voice and messaging and ultimately enable a future where drivers can remain connected, wherever the journey takes them”.

Viasat added that future releases could support more advanced services, including 5G New Radio (5G-NR) satellite capabilities, which could enable video streaming and improved interoperability between terrestrial and satellite networks.

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