Digital Arena Sweden opens up advanced test environments for next-generation communications technology

Digital Arena Sweden is a new national testing platform designed to give businesses and the public sector early access to the latest developments in 5G, 6G and AI. By providing a single gateway to advanced test environments and expert support, the initiative aims to shorten the journey from innovation to implementation. It will also connect resources currently scattered across the country – making them easier for Swedish industry to find, test and benefit from.

Sweden has long held a strong position in telecommunications and digital infrastructure. Across the country, testbeds and research environments allow companies to experiment with technology that is not yet available in commercial networks.

The challenge is finding the right environment

“Sweden already has very strong infrastructure. Our role is to bring existing testbeds together, open them up to industry and create a clear point of entry,” says Anders Trana of Future by Lund, a project manager working on the initiative’s digitalisation activities.

Digital Arena Sweden will provide a single gateway to these environments. The idea is that a company can bring a need or an idea and receive guidance on where and how best to test it.

“Companies shouldn’t have to know about every testbed and infrastructure resource themselves. We need to guide them through the system and help them find the right environment.”

From individual testbeds to a shared platform

The potential for system-wide change lies primarily in how existing resources are connected and made accessible, rather than in new technical infrastructure.

A digital one-stop shop will give companies an overview of the resources available and a route to support and expertise. Where similar tests have already been carried out, the findings can help companies take the next step instead of starting from scratch.

Needs vary considerably, however. A large industrial company with its own research and development department has very different resources and capabilities from a smaller business.

“One important lesson from the feasibility studies is that there is no single model that works for everyone. We need to tailor the process, from a company’s first contact with us through to jointly identifying what needs to be tested, where the testing should take place and what support is required.”

Lowering barriers will be particularly important for smaller companies, for which the cost and complexity of advanced testing can otherwise be an obstacle.

Testing technology before it reaches the market

The platform will also give industry an opportunity to engage more closely with emerging technology.

New generations of communications networks drive innovation, enabling capabilities such as prioritising different types of network traffic, sensing the surrounding environment and creating entirely new connected services. Some of the test environments also offer opportunities to experiment with functionality that is still several years away.

“We can give industry an insight into developments that may be two to six years away. This allows companies to start understanding the technology, testing their services and preparing well before the solutions become widely available on the market,” says Anders Trana.

For businesses, this could mean an opportunity to develop new products and services earlier – leaving them better prepared when the technology becomes commercially available.

Strengthening Sweden’s position

For the platform to succeed, engagement must extend beyond the telecommunications sector. Industry, academia, public sector organisations, smaller technology companies and infrastructure experts all need to contribute their perspectives and experience.

The ambition also extends beyond Sweden. Partnerships with equivalent test environments in other countries will give Swedish companies access to further opportunities while attracting international organisations to Swedish testbeds.

“Connected services and telecommunications are becoming increasingly central to other industries. By helping companies understand and use the technology earlier, we can also strengthen their competitiveness,” says Anders Trana.

Digital Arena Sweden is about more than making testing easier. Its central goals are to create a connected system that helps Swedish industry move more quickly from new technology to practical application – and to ensure that Sweden remains at the forefront as the next generation of digital infrastructure takes shape.