Ericsson and Telia Open 5G, 6G, and AI Test Center in Sweden

Ericsson, Telia, and other partners have opened a test center in Sweden that would focus on the development of AI, 5G, and 6G technologies. Ericsson stated that the Digital Arena Sweden test center would strengthen the nation’s industrial sector by providing early access to advanced tools in the three areas.

The vendor is responsible for establishing and progressing a unique, pre-commercial 6G test environment in collaboration with Lund University and the KTH Royal Institute of Technology. Digital Arena Sweden is also supported by Swedish innovation agency Vinnova through a digitalisation programme, RISE Research Institutes and its subsidiary AstaZero, Future by Lund, and others. The partners are making an initial investment of SEK300 million ($31.3 million).

The test center is targeting ways in which 6G could benefit specific industries, with Ericsson citing mining, transport, defence, and medical sectors. Insights are to be shared to help with global 6G standardisation. On the AI side, Digital Arena Sweden will aim to help enterprises move from concept to commercial reality. Ericsson added that the work would build on NorthStar 5G, an innovation program established by it and Telia in 2023, which targets industrial applications of the technology.

Erik Ekudden, CTO at Ericsson, said that creating one of the world’s first test environments for the combination of 5G, 6G, and AI, several years before the technology becomes commercial, ensures that Swedish industry and research remain at the absolute forefront. He added that it is an opportunity for Ericsson and its partners to define how a connected society will function, where AI agents, physical AI (robots), and autonomous systems can be developed. Telia Sweden CEO Anders Olsson added that the test center would help meet high demands for sovereignty and security.