Testing IoT Devices: Inside the Telenor IoT Test Lab
In an underground lab in Karlskrona, Sweden, the network switches from Norway to Sweden in the blink of an eye. A robotic lawnmower flashes. A vehicle alarm goes off—completely according to plan. Welcome to the test lab where reality is simulated, debugged, and optimised. All of this happens long before products reach the market.
Recreating Reality in a Controlled Setting
It’s early morning when a silent machine flashes in a lab filled with antennas, test equipment and customer prototypes. A few clicks on a computer, and the device switches networks from Telenor Sweden to Telenor Norway. Signal strengths are adjusted, GPS coordinates are simulated, and logs are collected in real time.
We can recreate a border crossing with a millisecond precision, over and over again. It’s difficult to do in reality, but absolutely necessary to find errors that otherwise remain invisible.” Robert ColvinIoT Technical Expert
When a connected device moves between mobile networks in different countries, for example from Sweden to Norway, it needs to switch seamlessly. Even the smallest disruption can affect functionality and user experience. IoT connectivity plays a crucial role in this process, and the ability to test these situations in a lab makes it possible to identify and fix critical issues early. In Karlskrona, customers can test switching between four real mobile networks (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland) without leaving the room.
Supporting a Rapidly Evolving Industry
The IoT landscape is evolving fast. New modules, network standards, and roaming solutions are constantly emerging. For companies working on connected products with international reach, it’s not easy to stay ahead.
That’s why the test lab is so valuable. It’s a hidden gem in Telenor IoT’s offering—where not just technology, but entire ecosystems of connected solutions are tested in close collaboration with customers from around the world.
“Our customers are often experts in their own products, but not in mobile networks. Then it is our task to bridge it,” says Robert Colvin.
Telenor IoT Test Lab
Real Devices, Real Testing
The line between hardware and network is no longer clear. IoT SIM cards aren’t just plastic inserts—they’re soldered, integrated, and virtual. That increases integration complexity and makes real-world testing even more important. With eSIM technology, complexity grows further, especially when global profile management needs to work across a range of networks.
“It’s not just a test environment, it’s a reality lab. We have built something that is almost impossible to replicate anywhere else,” says Jonas Karlsson, Product Manager at Telenor IoT.
Tests range from functional safety to battery optimisation. Devices can be tested remotely around the clock. Some customers leave their equipment for long-term validation. Others run the tests themselves from a distance. In some cases, Telenor IoT helps design the test scenarios and analyses the results together with the customer. The outcome? Fewer field issues, better-performing products, and a faster time to market.
A Team That Understands the Whole Picture
Behind the lab is a team with both technical depth and customer understanding. Jonas Karlsson has been involved in building the lab from scratch. He describes himself as a product owner, but the role is much broader.
“I focus a lot on the big picture. That the lab will work, but also that salespeople and solution managers know how to use it in their customer dialogues. And that we have the right documentation in place. Our motto is always ‘here to help’,” he says.
Robert Colvin leads the technical work. With a background in hardware development and experience from Ericsson, he’s the go-to person for complex IoT questions. But it’s not just about technical expertise. It is also the ability to put yourself in the customer’s shoes, whether it is a Swedish vehicle manufacturer with a full-scale team or a startup company that barely knows how their purchased devices work.
The first meeting with a new customer is always important. Not to go through technical requirements in detail, but to set the right expectations, talk through the goal and make sure everyone is prepared.
“It makes all the difference. A good test requires both technical knowledge and clear communication. That’s where we find the balance,” says Jonas Karlsson.
What’s Being Tested—And Why
The lab doesn’t just uncover problems. It helps optimise, validate, and understand connected devices.
“We have customers who come to us because they have a problem. But we have just as many who want to ensure that everything works before they roll out tens of thousands of devices,” says Jonas Karlsson.
Devices range from smart meters and connected lawnmowers to EV chargers, mining machinery, and eCall-enabled vehicles. Understanding how networks behave, especially across borders, is critical. Many of these applications are highlighted in our IoT use cases, where reliable connectivity is critical for success.
“A large Swedish industrial customer has its products in our lab more or less permanently. They want to see how the device behaves when the network changes. It’s a way of quality assurance over time,” says Robert Colvin.
Insights That Benefit Everyone
Testing helps Telenor IoT, too. The lab doesn’t only verify customer products, it also provides insight into network behaviour and performance. In some cases, test results lead customers to change hardware vendors or rework their firmware. That’s the point: to discover issues before they become expensive.
We have not built this to make money from testing hours. This is one way to help our customers succeed. If their products work better, then it also benefits us. The IoT Test Lab helps them develop stable, optimised solutions—so they in turn can offer competitive products and services with high quality.” Jonas KarlssonProduct Manager at Telenor IoT
The lab has become a platform for joint development, of ideas, scenarios, and real-world solutions. It has attracted customers from all over the world, and demand continues to grow. The technical environment is appreciated—but often, the personal support makes just as much of a difference.
This article is based on an interview originally published (in Swedish) by Nyteknik. You can read the original version here.
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