Telia Norway announced it would work with state-owned civil airport operator Avinor to pilot a range of 5G-based technologies designed to boost safety and automation in the latter’s sites. 

In a statement Telia explained it would assist its partner in exploring the benefits of 5G technologies in Norwegian airports and support digitisation of operations. 

One of the pair’s initial projects will be the trial of an industrial robot equipped with sensors and cameras to check landing lights are working properly in Sola and Alta airports. The robot will also be able to remove and detect foreign objects on the runway. 

Ole Petter Rostad, project manager and business developer at Telia Norway, said the trial would “test how the management and transmission of data works over both 5G network and Wi-Fi”. 

Head of IT partner at Avinor Jon Thorshaug said Telia “highlighted how both parties could benefit from the pilot projects and build competence within 5G”. 

The project adds to Telia Norway’s list of collaborations with state-owned agencies, including a network-slicing deal with the Norwegian Navy and a private 5G contract with the country’s defence agency.