Drones and Telia’s Private 5G Enable Remote Forestry Control in Sweden

Telia's private 5G and drones extend network coverage to remote areas, revolutionizing industries like forestry. In Sweden, drones with mobile base stations enabled remote control of forestry machines, overcoming connectivity challenges in remote forests. Key partners, including Mittuniversitetet, Telia, Ericsson, and Volvo CE, contributed to this innovative project, showcasing the potential of 5G and drone technology to enhance connectivity, safety, and operational efficiency in forestry and beyond.
Drones and Telia's Private 5G Enable Remote Forestry Control in Sweden
Image Credit: Telia

Enhancing Forestry with Drones and Telia’s Private 5G Technology

Extending 5G network coverage to remote areas can revolutionize industries like forestry. In a recent breakthrough, a research project in Sweden successfully demonstrated using drones equipped with portable mobile base stations to control forestry machines remotely. This innovation was tested in a forest outside Vรคsterรฅs, central Sweden, as part of a collaborative effort involving multiple organizations, including Mittuniversitetet, Telia, Ericsson, Skogforsk, SCA, Volvo CE, and Biometria.

Addressing Connectivity Challenges in Remote Forests with Telia’s Private 5G


The primary challenge addressed by this project was extending 5G network coverage to areas with limited or no connectivity. Remote forests pose significant obstacles for connectivity, making it difficult to control machinery remotely. Ensuring reliable and low-latency communication is crucial for the safe and effective remote operation of heavy equipment.

Drone-Based Telia Private 5G Network for Remote Machinery Control

To overcome these challenges, the project team equipped a drone with a portable mobile base station to create a 5G Private Network in the test area. This setup allowed for the remote control of a forestry machine. The tests, conducted in May, demonstrated that the drone could maintain a stable connection, enabling the forestry machine to operate seamlessly under remote control.

Successful Remote Control of Forestry Machines Using Telia Private 5G Drones

In November 2021, the project achieved a milestone by remotely controlling a timber loader at SCAโ€™s Torsboda timber terminal in northern Sweden. Building on this success, the team conducted tests in a forest near Vรคsterรฅs, where they used the drone to extend 5G coverage and remotely control a forestry machine from 80 kilometers away. The drone created a coverage area extending up to 3 kilometers, showcasing the feasibility of this approach.

Why Telia’s Private 5G Technology is Ideal for Remote Operations

The choice of 5G technology was pivotal due to its low latency and high reliability, which are essential for remote operations. The 5G network provided the necessary bandwidth and responsiveness, ensuring smooth and precise control of the forestry machine.

Key Benefits of Telia Private 5G and Drone Integration in Forestry

This innovative use of 5G and drone technology offers several benefits:

  • Enhanced Connectivity: Extends network coverage to remote areas.
  • Improved Safety: Allows operators to control machinery from a safe distance, reducing exposure to hazardous environments.
  • Operational Efficiency: Enables continuous operations in areas where connectivity was previously a limitation.

Broader Applications of Telia Private 5G Drones in Various Industries

This technology has the potential to transform various industries beyond forestry. In agriculture, it can facilitate the remote operation of machinery in vast, rural areas. In disaster response, drones equipped with 5G base stations can provide critical connectivity in areas where traditional networks are compromised.

Telia’s Crucial Role in Providing 5G Network Infrastructure

Telia, as a key participant, provided the 5G network infrastructure, ensuring robust and reliable connectivity. Their expertise in network innovation was crucial for the project’s success.

Collaborative Effort from Leading Technology and Industry Partners

Other partners like Ericsson contributed their technological expertise, while Skogforsk and Volvo CE provided industry-specific knowledge and equipment for testing. The collaborative effort ensured the project addressed both technological and practical challenges.

Current Status and Future Prospects of the Telia Private 5G Drone Project

As of now, the project has successfully demonstrated the feasibility of using drones to extend 5G coverage and remotely control forestry machines. Data collected from these tests are being analyzed to further refine the technology.

The initial milestone was reached in November 2021, with further successful tests conducted in May 2023. The project continues to explore additional applications and improvements.

Magnus Leonhardt, Head of Strategy and Innovation for Telia Swedenโ€™s B2B business, praised the project, stating that it opens new opportunities for connecting remote businesses. Researchers like Professor Mattias Oโ€™Nils are optimistic about the potential for further advancements and applications.

In conclusion, the integration of drone technology and 5G Private Networks holds significant promise for remote operations in various industries. This project demonstrates the potential for enhancing connectivity and operational efficiency in challenging environments.


Recent Content

Web3 is redefining the telecom industry by introducing decentralized infrastructure, blockchain-based billing, smart contracts, NFTs, and digital identity. This article explores how telcos can evolve from connectivity providers to key players in Web3 ecosystemsโ€”offering programmable services, token economies, and secure, user-centric digital experiences.
As the telecom industry celebrates World Telecom Day 2025, the theme is clear: connectivity is not just infrastructureโ€”it is empowerment. It is what enables a student in a rural village to access world-class education, a farmer to monitor crops via smart sensors, or a doctor to conduct remote surgery with millisecond precision.
AT&T will acquire Lumenโ€™s consumer fiber business in a $5.75B deal to expand its broadband coverage to 60 million U.S. locations by 2030. The transaction gives AT&T access to 4M enabled locations, 1M subscribers, and new metro markets like Seattle and Phoenix. Meanwhile, Lumen refocuses on enterprise innovation and AI-first networking.
As 5G expands, reduced-capability (RedCap) and enhanced RedCap (eRedCap) IoT devices face pressure to transition from 4G. But adoption has lagged due to price and value challenges. This article explores why OEMs are holding back, the role of low-power DSP modem platforms like Cevaโ€™s, and how software-defined radio and flexibility are key to unlocking 5Gโ€™s potential in high-volume, low-bandwidth IoT applications.
Verizon joins the Buffalo Bills as a Founding Partner of Highmark Stadium, bringing 5G connectivity, sustainability-focused services, and smart venue technology to the teamโ€™s new home in Orchard Park. The partnership includes ownership of the DAS system, advanced operational tools, AR fan features, and exclusive Verizon customer activationsโ€”setting a new benchmark for connected sports venues by 2026.
Singtel launches 5G+, introducing nationwide network slicing for both consumers and enterprises, a global first. This upgrade brings faster speeds, lower latency, stronger indoor coverage, and real-time cyber protection to over 1.5 million users. Singtel 5G+ enhances mobile connectivity with the 700MHz spectrum, priority plans, and app-based slicing for business-critical apps, aligning with Singaporeโ€™s Smart Nation goals.
Whitepaper
Telecom networks are facing unprecedented complexity with 5G, IoT, and cloud services. Traditional service assurance methods are becoming obsolete, making AI-driven, real-time analytics essential for competitive advantage. This independent industry whitepaper explores how DPUs, GPUs, and Generative AI (GenAI) are enabling predictive automation, reducing operational costs, and improving service quality....
Whitepaper
Explore the collaboration between Purdue Research Foundation, Purdue University, Ericsson, and Saab at the Aviation Innovation Hub. Discover how private 5G networks, real-time analytics, and sustainable innovations are shaping the "Airport of the Future" for a smarter, safer, and greener aviation industry....
Article & Insights
This article explores the deployment of 5G NR Transparent Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), detailing the architecture's advantages and challenges. It highlights how this "bent-pipe" NTN approach integrates ground-based gNodeB components with NGSO satellite constellations to expand global connectivity. Key challenges like moving beam management, interference mitigation, and latency are discussed, underscoring...

Download Magazine

With Subscription

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Scroll to Top