Catenaa, Tuesday, June 23, 2026- Telia has become the first mobile operator in Sweden to deploy a nationwide 5G Standalone (5G SA) network, launching a new Critical IoT Connectivity service designed for mission-critical applications across industry, transport, healthcare, energy and emergency services.
The operator said its 5G Standalone network now covers 99.99% of Sweden’s population and more than 94% of the country’s landmass, marking a major milestone in the Nordic nation’s digital infrastructure development.
Unlike earlier 5G deployments that relied partly on existing 4G infrastructure, the new Standalone network operates on a dedicated 5G core, enabling advanced enterprise services.
The platform delivers network slicing, ultra-low latency and enhanced security capabilities needed for industrial automation, remote operations and critical communications.
Telia said the service is designed to offer stable and predictable connectivity for organizations where network reliability is essential.
The new Critical IoT Connectivity service targets sectors that increasingly depend on real-time data transmission and automated operations.
Potential applications include smart energy grids, connected transport systems, industrial automation, mining operations, healthcare monitoring and emergency response networks.
The ability to prioritize network traffic through slicing technology allows organizations to secure dedicated connectivity resources even during periods of heavy network demand.
The service emerged from Telia’s NorthStar 5G innovation initiative developed alongside Ericsson.
The program has provided advanced 5G testing capabilities to partners including the Swedish Armed Forces and mining company Boliden, helping develop real-world industrial use cases before commercial deployment.
The rollout comes as telecom operators search for new revenue streams beyond traditional consumer mobile services.
Industry analysts note that mature Nordic markets offer limited growth opportunities in consumer connectivity, making enterprise-focused services increasingly important.
Telia currently holds approximately 43% of Sweden’s mobile subscriber market, making it the country’s largest mobile operator.
5G Standalone technology is widely regarded as the full realization of 5G capabilities because it operates independently from legacy 4G infrastructure. Telecom operators worldwide have been investing heavily in Standalone deployments to support advanced industrial applications, private networks and mission-critical communications. The global Industrial Internet of Things market is expected to expand rapidly over the coming decade as businesses automate operations and deploy connected devices. Nordic countries have emerged as early adopters of advanced 5G use cases, particularly in manufacturing, mining, logistics and public sector digitalization initiatives.
