Telia is becoming a core partner in Testination, bringing expertise and solutions in secure and advanced communications technology to the ecosystem. The partnership strengthens the offering available to companies developing and scaling new technology, from the seabed to space.

Testination is part of the Fremtidens Industri ecosystem and provides an arena for the development, testing and demonstration of new technology. By providing access to test areas, infrastructure, expertise and relevant partners, Testination aims to make it easier for companies to move from technology development to testing, demonstration and scaling.

For members of Ocean Autonomy Cluster and NORDSEC Nordic Defence and Security Cluster, Testination is a practical resource that enables companies to test technology and develop new solutions in collaboration with relevant industry players. 

Testing of autonomy at "Frostabåten" with NTNU and SINTEF in Trondheim winther 2026. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri

Testing technology together with customers

As a core partner, Telia brings both existing and innovative communications solutions to the ecosystem. These include 5G Standalone, private 5G networks, tactical 5G networks and solutions for operational technology (OT).

“We want to build new things and challenge the way things are done today. Testination gives us a very good arena for testing new technology together with those who need the technology, and for developing new value propositions and solutions,” says Henning Huuse of Telia.

For Telia, the partnership is also about getting closer to technology communities and understanding emerging needs.

“It is important for us to understand what the market needs and stay close to those working on development. It is also important to be able to test the technology together with potential and existing customers,” Huuse says.

Telia wants to establish an active partnership in Testination, where technology can be developed in close interaction with the companies that will use it.

“We want to have an active partnership, not just be a supporting member. If we can scale this and establish even more concrete collaborations, that is very interesting to us,” Huuse says.

Espen Frydenlund and Henning Huuse, Telia. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri

"We have a challenger mentality at Telia, and we love being challenged right back by our customers. Customer-driven innovation is what works best. And the people here are genuinely out to transform an entire industry at sea – those are the communities we want to work with," Espen Frydenlund says.

See also: The critical role of 5G in future of autonomous maritime transport

From 5G to secure communications solutions

Telia already has extensive experience with 5G and advanced communications solutions in Trondheim and elsewhere in Norway. The company has, among other things, delivered 5G to Fjord1’s ferry route between Lavik and Oppedal, where communications are an important part of the infrastructure supporting the development of autonomous ferry operations.

Telia has also worked with NTNU and other technology communities on 5G and NTNU's Shore Control Lab.

"These activities demonstrate how advanced mobile communications can form part of the infrastructure for remote control, autonomy and data-intensive maritime operations," Espen Frydenlund says.

In the defence sector, Telia has in recent years developed solutions for secure and robust connectivity based on 5G. These include portable base stations for extending coverage, tactical 5G networks for closed networks, and a dedicated slice in Telia’s national mobile network that provides the Norwegian Armed Forces with dedicated capacity.

“We have worked with the Norwegian Armed Forces for many years, and over the past few years we have had a development project exploring the possibilities offered by 5G networks. We have developed various solutions for secure and robust connectivity, and the Norwegian Armed Forces selected 5G as its primary platform two years ago,” Huuse says.

Vegard Saur, manager of Testination. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri

See also: Telia tests 5G-powered autonomous vessels (Telia.no)

Trondheim as a technology hub

Telia has a long history of working with technology communities in Trondheim, including NTNU and SINTEF. The company has also been an early adopter of testing new communications technology in the region.

“There is no doubt that Trondheim has one of Norway’s leading technology communities. We have been working in the Trondheim region for a long time, and establishing closer cooperation with the innovation community here is a natural continuation of that,” Huuse says.

For Testination, connecting technology providers, research communities and companies developing new products and services is a key part of the ecosystem.

“Telia brings both existing and innovative communications solutions to the table. This enables us to offer and further develop our services for technology companies developing and scaling technology from the seabed to space,” says Vegard Saur, head of Testination.

With Telia as a core partner, Testination strengthens its capabilities in communications technology while members of Ocean Autonomy Cluster and NORDSEC gain access to additional expertise and technology opportunities through the test ecosystem.

See also: Innovativ teknologi skal gi nett til verdens første autonome fergesamband (Telia.no)

NTNU Shore Control Lab in Nyhavna Trondheim. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri

Telia

Telia is a leading telecommunications company in Norway and part of the Telia Company group. The company provides mobile and fixed communications, connectivity and digital services to consumers, businesses and public-sector organisations.

Telia develops and delivers advanced communications solutions, including 5G, 5G Standalone, private 5G networks and specialised solutions for secure and robust connectivity. The company has extensive experience from the defence sector and collaborates with technology and research communities on developing and testing new solutions.

Testination

Testination is an open test and development ecosystem in Trondheim, part of the Fremtidens Industri ecosystem. It provides companies with access to test areas, infrastructure, expertise and relevant partners for developing, testing and demonstrating new technology.

The test ecosystem covers areas including maritime technology, autonomy, communications, defence and security, with the Trondheim Fjord and surrounding areas providing important real-world test environments.

Ocean Autonomy Cluster and NORDSEC Nordic Defence and Security Cluster are core partners in Testination, making the ecosystem a practical resource for member companies developing and scaling new technology.