Authored by: Alexandros Korres, PhD Candidate in RF & Sub-THz Systems | R&D Engineer at Eight Bells Ltd
Role in PROTEAS project: Proteas Project Partner
Over the past few years, 5G has become the mainstream technology in cellular communications, connecting millions of users worldwide. Yet, unlike the leap from 3G to 4G, which brought mobile internet into our daily lives, the impact of 5G is less obvious to the average user. Its true value lies beneath the surface, in the way it is reshaping the foundations of communication networks and enabling future capabilities.
One of the most important shifts introduced by 5G, is architectural. Traditional mobile networks relied heavily on dedicated hardware for core functions such as switching, orchestration, and configuration. In contrast, 5G moves toward a software-defined approach, where these functions are virtualized. This transition reduces complexity, lowers deployment costs, and allows networks to be reconfigured dynamically based on demand.
At the same time, 5G significantly improves spectrum utilization. While it continues to operate in familiar sub-6 GHz bands (FR1), it also expands into millimeter-wave frequencies (FR2), including bands around 26, 28, and 39 GHz. These higher frequencies enable extremely high data rates, opening the door to new high-capacity applications.
Another key innovation is the way 5G manages radio resources. Earlier systems transmitted signals over wide areas with limited directional control. 5G however, leverages massive MIMO and beamforming technologies to create multiple focused beams that are dynamically steered toward users. This increases spectral efficiency, reduces interference, and minimizes unnecessary energy consumption.
Together, these advancements allow 5G networks to support a wide range of use cases within the same infrastructure. Αs defined in the ITU IMT-2020 framework (Figure 1), depending on operational requirements, 5G can deliver enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), with high data rates and immersive user experiences, ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC) for critical real-time applications, as well as massive machine-type communications (mMTC), enabling connectivity for millions of low-power devices.
Figure 1. Key 5G service categories: eMBB, URLLC and mMTC (ITU IMT-2020 framework)
5G is not merely an evolution of civilian cellular communications; it represents a fundamental transformation in how networks are built, managed, and utilized. Its impact is already evident across multiple industries, including automotive, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, and the broader Internet of Things (ΙοΤ) ecosystem.
These advancements do not only reshape commercial applications, but they also lay the foundation for new capabilities in European and national security and defense. As connectivity becomes a critical enabler of modern operations, 5G is poised to play a key role in strengthening resilience, operational efficiency, and strategic autonomy across the continent.
From a defense perspective, 5G emerges as a key enabler for next-generation operational capabilities. Its ability to interconnect a massive number of distributed sensors across the battlefield allows for continuous data collection from heterogeneous sources, including radar systems, satellites, unmanned platforms, and ground-based intelligence assets. This data can be aggregated and processed in near real-time to enhance situational awareness and support the formation of a Common Operational Picture (COP), significantly improving decision-making speed and accuracy.
At the same time, 5G enables new concepts of autonomous and coordinated operations. By providing ultra-reliable and low-latency communication, it supports the deployment of swarms of unmanned vehicles across land, air, and maritime domains, allowing them to operate collaboratively and adapt dynamically to mission requirements.
Beyond platforms and sensors, 5G also enhances the capabilities of individual soldiers. It can support secure, high-bandwidth communication between units in complex environments, while enabling advanced services, such as real-time data sharing, augmented situational awareness, and remote medical support. This includes the potential for telemedicine applications in the field, improving survivability and response time in critical situations.
Building on these capabilities, a practical example can be found within the context of European Defense Fund (EDF) initiatives, where PROTEAS proposes a first-of-its-kind Special Operations Forces Command Post for Command and Control (SOFCP C2), designed to support EU-led Small Joint Operations (SJO) in compliance with EU standards and the specific operational requirements of EU Member States and Norway. In this framework, PROTEAS leverages 5G connectivity to deploy a Standalone Non-Public Network (SNPN), in accordance with 3GPP, to support the Perimeter Security System (PSS) of the command post.
As depicted in Figure 2, 5G enables the creation of a secure and self-contained communication “bubble” that interconnects a wide range of user equipment (UE), including acoustic and seismic sensors capable of detecting intrusion events and triggering real-time alerts. At the same time, the network supports the integration of autonomous platforms, such as robotic dogs, which can be rapidly deployed to inspect the area of interest, immediately after a threat is detected. In this way, by seamlessly linking sensing, communication, and response, 5G enables faster, more automated, and more resilient perimeter defense operations.
Figure 2. Conceptual representation of PROTEAS’ 5G Standalone Non-Public Network (SNPN) supporting the Perimeter Security System (PSS) of SOF Command Post.
Despite its clear advantages and technological potential, 5G still faces important limitations that hinder its adoption as a full-scale military communication solution. One of the primary challenges lies not in the absence of standardization, but in the lack of military-oriented standards and certification frameworks. While 3GPP TS 33.501 defines robust mechanisms for user identification, authentication, and encryption, aligned to some extent with NATO principles, these specifications are primarily designed for commercial environments and do not yet provide the level of assurance required for military-grade applications.
In addition to cybersecurity considerations, resilience against electronic warfare (EW) remains a critical concern. Current 5G implementations, largely based on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) equipment, are not explicitly designed to counter threats such as jamming, spoofing, or electromagnetic interference. Although certain features, such as beamforming, may offer some inherent advantages, they do not constitute dedicated EW protection mechanisms.
Addressing these challenges remains an open field for research and development. Future efforts should focus on enhancing 5G architectures with stronger security assurance models, as well as defining protocols and techniques that ensure robustness against both cyber and electromagnetic threats in contested operational environments.
Against this backdrop, NATO has identified next-generation communications, as a critical emerging technology, presenting both opportunities and challenges for future operations. In response, the first edition of STANAG 5665 (Cellular Communications for Defense) was promulgated on 11 February 2026, marking a significant step toward enabling interoperable 5G communications across Alliance member states.
Ultimately, the question is not whether 5G will be used in defense, but how it will be adapted to operate in contested and hostile environments. Bridging the gap between commercial innovation and military requirements will be critical to unlocking its full potential, as a secure and resilient communication backbone for future operations.
About EIGHT BELLS LTD:
Eight Bells stands as an independent high-tech enterprise, based in Nicosia, Cyprus and in Athens, Greece, dedicated to pioneering advancements in Information and Communication Technology. Our expertise spans a wide range of technological fields, including 5G/6G Telecommunications, Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence. At the core of our offerings lie custom-designed solutions tailored to meet the demands of emerging technologies. Beyond digital solutions, we design and manufacture high-performance thermal cameras for industrial and security applications, ensuring precise and reliable thermal imaging.
The company’s multidisciplinary team of experts is committed to bridging the gap between academic research and practical applications, transforming innovative ideas into impactful technological solutions. Whether helping organisations enhance their digital infrastructures or providing strategic guidance, Eight Bells is dedicated to driving technological progress and improving operational efficiency for its clients. With a rich background in system engineering, R&D consultancy, and network design, we actively participate in and have led numerous Horizon, EDIDP/EDF, ESA, and National-funded research initiatives.
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