5G Standalone for autonomous trucks
Reliable performance, better decision-making, and enhanced safety. We're now testing 5G Standalone for autonomous trucks on public roads with Ericsson and Scania.
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When autonomous vehicles operate on public roads, connectivity demands change. Through the NorthStar innovation program, Telia and Ericsson are partnering with truck manufacturer Scania to explore whether Telia's network and Ericsson's 5G Standalone capability can deliver the predictable performance that self-driving vehicles require.
Along a "5G corridor" between Södertälje and Nyköping, we're among the first in Europe to test 5G Standalone for autonomous transport on public roads.
The corridor serves as a real-world testing ground, generating insights into how self-driving vehicles can operate safely, efficiently, and predictably. It's creating a reference point for the transport sector and other industries with similar real-time connectivity requirements.
This partnership shows how differentiated connectivity can open the door to new business models and support customers like Scania in entirely new ways.
When every moment counts, connectivity must be predictable
For autonomous vehicles to work at scale, continuous and predictable communication between the vehicle and control center is essential. When conditions change due to congestion or unexpected events, the vehicle must be able to transmit sensor data and high-quality video in real time – without delay or degradation.
Traditional connectivity can't guarantee this level of performance, especially under high network load. For autonomous transport to work reliably on public roads, predictable and robust connectivity is required.
This is where differentiated connectivity with 5G Standalone makes a difference. Thanks to Ericsson's 5G Standalone software and network slicing, network performance can be guaranteed even under demanding conditions. With dedicated "slices," autonomous vehicles get consistent bandwidth and low latency, even when the network is heavily loaded.
This enables reliable sensor data and real-time video between the vehicle and control center, making it possible to make fast, informed decisions when every second matters.
Scaling predictable connectivity with Network APIs
In Sweden, differentiated connectivity for Scania's autonomous transport is delivered via Telia's 5G Standalone network, demonstrating how predictable performance can support real-world operations.
When scaling these capabilities internationally, the challenge becomes delivering the same predictable connectivity across operators and markets. This is where Network APIs come in.
By exposing advanced network capabilities – such as guaranteed performance and differentiated connectivity – through standardized APIs, Ericsson enables operators to deliver consistent network behavior regardless of country. This allows companies like Scania to scale autonomous capabilities globally with confidence, without compromising on performance, reliability, or operational control.
Predictable, connected transport gives us reliable operations, better decision-making, and the confidence our customers need to run their business efficiently.
From research to real-world impact
For Scania, predictable and differentiated connectivity means more reliable vehicle fleets, better decision-making, and greater confidence in autonomous systems operating in real traffic. Through fewer unnecessary stops, increased efficiency, and smarter resource use, differentiated connectivity plays a key role in the development of connected and autonomous transport.
This partnership demonstrates how advanced 5G Standalone capabilities translate into real operational value and enable reliable autonomous operations beyond controlled environments.
While the project is rooted in the transport sector, the learnings extend beyond a single industry. It's contributing to how predictable real-time connectivity can support other applications in real-world environments.
Telia Advanced 5G is the next step toward a more connected and digitalized Sweden. It's built for organizations that need exceptionally secure, fast, and reliable connectivity – such as healthcare, manufacturing, and emergency services.
Watch a more detailed video about the project below.
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About NorthStar
NorthStar is a joint innovation program from Telia and Ericsson that gives Swedish organizations early access to advanced 5G capabilities in real-world environments.
By combining Telia's purpose-built 5G network with Ericsson's advanced 5G technology, the program enables partners to test, develop, and validate new capabilities at scale. NorthStar accelerates the path from research to commercialization and supports innovations ready to scale beyond Sweden's borders.