In recent years, the Department of Defense has been rethinking how it approaches communications technology—shifting from traditional, insular solutions to embracing innovation from the commercial sector. While off-the-shelf cellular devices aren’t suitable for the battlefield, the underlying technologies powering 5G and emerging 6G networks are becoming too valuable to ignore.  

This week on Feds At The Edge, we explore how the military can harness advanced commercial technologies like 5G, 6G, and AI to enhance battlefield operations. The discussion centers on three critical considerations:  

• Edge Computing for Resilience: In combat zones where communication links are vulnerable to disruption, processing data at the edge is essential. 

• Agile Networks for Rapid Response: Battlefield conditions evolve quickly. Flexible standards in 5G/6G—especially through tools like 3GPP’s Network Data Analytics Function—enable self-optimizing, reconfigurable networks.  

• Upgrades Without the Overhead: Upgrading physical hardware in remote or high-risk environments (like submarines) can be difficult, but software-based systems offer promising alternatives.