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Swedish Military Joins Forces with Telia and Ericsson to Strengthen Defense Tech via 5G

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The Swedish Armed Forces have officially joined Telia and Ericsson’s NorthStar 5G innovation program, aiming to enhance national defense capabilities through cutting-edge telecommunications technology. The collaboration seeks to advance military communications, logistics, and security infrastructure, while improving interoperability within NATO.

Originally launched in 2023, the NorthStar initiative was initially focused on industrial clients, but growing geopolitical tensions have pushed Sweden to accelerate its defense tech modernization. “We need to speed it up due to the geopolitical situation in the last six months,” said Brigadier-General Mattias Hanson, CIO of the Swedish Armed Forces, in an interview with Reuters.

Sweden became NATO’s newest member earlier this year and currently allocates around 2.7% of its GDP to defense—a figure the government aims to raise to 3.5% by 2030. The move follows broader European efforts to bolster self-defense as U.S. support under the Trump administration has become less certain.

Under the expanded partnership, the military will engage with tech startups and civilian companies to find innovative solutions to defense challenges. One early focus is improving communication systems for drones. “We will try to figure out how to be faster in innovation and how to solve a military problem with civilian technology,” Hanson explained.

Although Sweden has its own military communication infrastructure, future systems will integrate various technologies—including radio, satellite, 5G, and fiber optics—for more robust and flexible operations.

EU Files Complaint Against China Over High-Tech Patent Royalties at WTO

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The European Commission has filed a formal complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against China, accusing the country of “unfair and illegal” practices regarding the setting of global royalty rates for European Union (EU) standard essential patents (SEPs). This dispute centers on the pressure placed on European tech companies, particularly those in the telecom sector, to lower their patent rates globally without their consent.

Key Points of the Complaint:

  • China’s Role: The European Commission claims that China’s courts have been empowered to set royalty rates for SEPs, a move that allegedly forces European companies to lower their rates, thus providing Chinese manufacturers with unfair access to European technology at lower costs.
  • SEPs and Impact on Tech: SEPs are patents that protect technologies essential for manufacturing products that meet specific standards, such as 5G technologies in mobile phones. Major European companies like Nokia and Ericsson are holders of these patents.
  • Chinese Response: China’s commerce ministry expressed regret over the EU’s decision to take the matter to the WTO, affirming that it would address the issue in accordance with WTO rules while safeguarding its rights and interests.
  • Previous Related Dispute: The case is connected to another ongoing WTO dispute filed by the EU in 2022, regarding Chinese anti-suit injunctions that hinder the ability of telecom patent holders to enforce their intellectual property rights in courts outside of China.

Steps Forward:

  • Consultations: The European Commission has requested consultations with China as the first step in WTO dispute resolution. If an agreement is not reached within 60 days, the EU may request the establishment of an adjudicating panel, which typically takes around 12 months to resolve.

Bezeq’s Pelephone Launches 5G-Only Packages to Boost Subscriber Base

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Bezeq Telecom’s mobile subsidiary, Pelephone, announced on Monday that it will begin offering 5G-only packages to encourage the adoption of its 5G network. The move positions Pelephone as the first Israeli provider to launch such technology. Subscribers with 4G-only devices will still have access to 4G-adapted packages, ensuring inclusivity.

The new 5G package, priced at 54.90 shekels ($15) per month, includes 1,000 gigabytes of data. Pelephone currently serves over 1.2 million 5G customers, making up 53% of its postpaid subscribers. The company also introduced the 5G MAX service in September, offering high-speed internet at crowded venues, which operates on its newly established independent 5G network core in collaboration with Ericsson. Pelephone’s 5G coverage now spans 80% of Israel.

Meanwhile, rival telecom operator Cellcom has launched its own 5G service, reaching its 1,000th 5G site. Cellcom’s new superfast 5G Pro package offers 1,500 GB of 5G data for 59.90 shekels per month, and all future 5G packages will be based on its advanced network.