Ericsson, Leonardo and Italian Navy trial 5G Standalone on-sea capabilities
Rhea-AI Summary
Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC), Leonardo and the Italian Navy completed a successful maritime trial of an end-to-end 5G Standalone (5G SA) network on Feb. 16, 2026. The trial installed Ericsson Ultra Compact Core and Massive MIMO RAN on the amphibious ship San Giorgio and CPE on Raimondo Montecuccoli.
The test, part of OPEX 2-25 in the Gulf of Taranto, demonstrated long-range day/night connectivity, secure classified and unclassified data exchange using Leonardo NINE, and video streams from 12 unmanned systems processed via the AI Brain platform.
Positive
- Long-range 5G SA connectivity validated at sea
- Secure exchange of classified and unclassified data enabled
- Video feeds from 12 unmanned systems processed via AI Brain
- Unified 5G network optimized spectrum use versus multiple systems
- End-to-end 5G SA installed on San Giorgio and CPE on Raimondo Montecuccoli
Negative
- No commercial deployment timeline provided
- Operational trials limited to OPEX 2-25 scope and location
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
ERIC gained 0.91% with mixed peer action: NOK +1.15%, HPE +2.07%, CIEN +3.43%, UI +1.42%, while ZBRA fell -5.05%, pointing to a more stock-specific move than a uniform sector rotation.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 11 | AI field services deal | Positive | -0.8% | Vonage and C3 AI launch AI-first field services solution with network APIs. |
| Feb 05 | Industry awards | Positive | -1.0% | Vonage wins two Juniper awards for network API and mobile identity innovation. |
| Jan 22 | Fraud-prevention partnership | Positive | +1.1% | Vonage expands partnership with Freenow using Silent Authentication and network APIs. |
| Jan 15 | Cost-cutting plan | Positive | +1.3% | Ericsson proposes Swedish headcount reduction of about 1,600 positions for efficiency. |
| Jan 14 | Product launch | Positive | -0.2% | Vonage launches omnichannel conversations for Agentforce Marketing with AI and messaging. |
Recent Ericsson/Vonage news has often seen muted or negative next-day moves, even on constructive announcements.
Over the past month, Ericsson-related news has focused on AI-enabled services, API-driven partnerships, and cost efficiency. Vonage collaborations on AI field services and authentication, plus customer engagement tools, highlighted expansion in enterprise and fraud-prevention use cases, yet saw small mixed price reactions around -1% to +1%. A proposed Swedish headcount reduction affecting about 1,600 roles drew a positive reaction of +1.28%, indicating support for cost discipline. Today’s naval 5G Standalone trial extends the theme of mission-critical connectivity, aligning with the company’s programmable networks strategy.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights Ericsson’s successful 5G Standalone deployment at sea with the Italian Navy and Leonardo, demonstrating secure, real-time data exchange and integration with unmanned systems. It reinforces Ericsson’s strategy around programmable, mission‑critical networks and follows recent AI and API‑centric initiatives via Vonage. Investors may track how such defense and maritime use cases evolve, monitor future contracts or follow‑on projects, and consider these developments alongside recent efficiency measures and profitability trends reported in prior filings.
Key Terms
5g standalone technical
massive mimo technical
radio access network technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
- Long-range 5G SA data communication at sea successfully demonstrated
- On-board connectivity and naval vessel systems successfully tested
- Live trials conducted over a prolonged period in real daytime/night-time operational conditions
A completely self-contained end-to-end Ericsson 5G SA network - comprising Ericsson Ultra Compact Core and Ericsson Massive MIMO Radio Access Network products and solutions - was installed on board the Italian Navy's amphibious landing ship San Giorgio, which served as the lead unit during a recent experimentation campaign.
Ericsson 5G SA customer premises equipment (CPE) was installed on board a second unit of the Italian Navy - the Multi-Purpose Combat Ship Raimondo Montecuccoli.
Leonardo and Ericsson collaborated in the EDF 5G COMPAD project and demonstrated its outcomes during the Italian Navy's Operational Experimentation (OPEX) 2-25 in the Gulf of
Using Ericsson's 5G Standalone connectivity and Leonardo's NINE encryption solution, the trial enabled the secure, real-time exchange of classified and unclassified information between two naval units, including full situational awareness from the Combat Management System and video streams from 12 unmanned systems processed via the AI Brain platform.
The OPEX validated the performance, security and resilience of 5G SA for on-board connected systems, while also showing how a unified 5G network can optimize spectrum usage compared to multiple standalone communication systems operating on unlicensed and potentially overlapping, bands with interference risks.
Patrick Johansson, Senior Vice President and Head of Ericsson Europe,
Freddie Södergren, Head of Mission Critical Networks, Ericsson, says: "This successful trial with Leonardo and the Italian Navy represents a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to advancing defense capabilities through 5G technology. As an integral part of Ericsson's defense portfolio, our 5G platform is designed to meet the rigorous demands of the sector. This collaboration not only demonstrates the versatility of dual-use 5G in critical operations, but also highlights how enhanced connectivity at sea can significantly strengthen naval communications and operational effectiveness."
The same Italian Navy experimentation - officially called the Italian Navy open-sea Operational Experimentation (OPEX Task 2-25), within the framework of the Multi-Domain Operational Experimentation Committee - included several other ecosystem partners testing at sea capabilities.
Ericsson also collaborated with the Italian Navy as part of 2024 NATO trials, when an end-to-end 5G SA network was installed in the Italian Naval base at
Related links:
About Ericsson 5G Standalone
About Ericsson Ultra Compact Core
About Ericsson Massive MIMO
About Ericsson 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) Solutions
NOTES TO EDITORS:
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ABOUT ERICSSON:
Ericsson's high-performing, programmable networks provide connectivity for billions of people every day. For 150 years, we've been pioneers in creating technology for communication. We offer mobile communication and connectivity solutions for service providers and enterprises. Together with our customers and partners, we make the digital world of tomorrow a reality.
ABOUT LEONARDO:
Leonardo is an international industrial group, among the main global companies in Aerospace, Defence, and Security (AD&S). With 60,000 employees worldwide, the company approaches global security through the Helicopters, Electronics, Aeronautics, Cyber & Security and Space sectors, and is a partner on the most important international programmes such as Eurofighter, JSF, NH-90, FREMM, GCAP, and Eurodrone. Leonardo has significant production capabilities in
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SOURCE Ericsson
FAQ
What did Ericsson announce about the 5G SA sea trial on Feb. 16, 2026 (ERIC)?
How many unmanned-system video streams did the ERIC 5G SA trial process on Feb. 16, 2026?
Did the Feb. 16, 2026 ERIC trial secure classified naval communications at sea?
Where and when did Ericsson, Leonardo and the Italian Navy run the 5G SA sea tests (ERIC)?
What operational advantages did the Feb. 16, 2026 ERIC 5G SA trial demonstrate for naval networks?
