Telefónica and Portuguese operator NOS Comunicações have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop advanced connectivity, secure communications, and digital services for defense and security. The agreement, announced by Telefónica on October 20, 2026, was signed during REPMUS 26, an experimentation exercise with unmanned maritime systems held in Portugal, where the two operators integrated their 5G networks.
The Telefónica-NOS defense agreement in 30 seconds
- It is a memorandum of understanding, with no disclosed amount, timeline, or corporate structure so far.
- They will explore network interoperability, secure communications, edge computing, AI, and advanced 5G.
- They will also study integration with command-and-control systems and autonomous platforms.
- The deal was signed at REPMUS 26, with support from the Spanish Navy and the Portuguese Navy.
- Both companies are part of the ALAIAN network of 5G solutions.
According to Telefónica, the agreement caps a year of joint work between the two operators. Its goal is to offer defense and security users in the European Union and NATO communications infrastructure that operates in a coordinated way on both sides of the border. The announcement does not mention any European funding program or specific contracts, so for now this is a collaboration framework, not an awarded project.
What Telefónica and NOS will explore
The list of areas is broad: interoperability between the two operators’ networks, secure communications, edge computing, artificial intelligence (AI), advanced 5G, and new connectivity architectures. On top of that, there’s integration with the armed forces’ command-and-control systems, autonomous platforms, and other emerging technologies. The two companies also plan to collaborate on dual-use technologies, civilian and military, through open-innovation ecosystems.
The practical test was REPMUS 26 (Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping with Maritime Unmanned Systems), an exercise dedicated to testing unmanned maritime vehicles and systems. There, Telefónica and NOS integrated their 5G capabilities, in an environment backed by the Spanish Navy and the Portuguese Navy. The announcement does not detail exactly what was tested, with what equipment, or what results were obtained.
The two operators already crossed paths at ALAIAN, a network that brings together companies and startups working on 5G-based solutions. The new memorandum extends that relationship into defense, a sector European operators have been eyeing with growing interest as the European Union and its member states raise military spending and focus on technological autonomy.
Telefónica’s role in defense
For Telefónica, the agreement fits with its push into the defense and security business within its enterprise division, which the company recently reorganized by splitting Spain into three units and folding Telefónica Tech into B2B. Javier López Gutiérrez, Director of Defense and Security at Telefónica España, argues that “this agreement contributes to Europe’s technological sovereignty” and that “it was made possible thanks to the support and collaboration of the Spanish Navy and the Portuguese Navy.” According to López, the alliance “lets us be the best access route for state security forces” to adopt digital technologies — a sovereignty push that echoes Europe’s broader struggle to achieve full 5G sovereignty.
For NOS, João Ricardo Moreira, a member of NOS Comunicações’ board of directors, says that “this collaboration takes on a particularly relevant dimension in the current European context.” Moreira adds that the new defense and security scenarios “require digital infrastructure capable of operating in a coordinated way,” also “beyond national borders,” in order to “guarantee secure, resilient, and interoperable communications.”
With this memorandum, two neighboring operators are positioning themselves as communications infrastructure providers for European defense, a field where connectivity is increasingly treated as a strategic capability. The announcement does not specify whether the agreement will translate into contracts or projects financed with European funds.
FAQ
What did Telefónica and NOS sign?
A memorandum of understanding to develop advanced connectivity, secure communications, and digital services for defense and security.
What is REPMUS 26?
It’s an experimentation exercise with unmanned maritime systems held in Portugal. The agreement was signed there, and the two operators integrated their 5G capabilities.
Does the agreement include investments or contracts?
No. The announcement does not mention specific amounts, timelines, contracts, or funding programs.
What technologies will they explore?
Network interoperability, secure communications, edge computing, AI, advanced 5G, integration with command-and-control systems, and autonomous platforms.
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