• Ericsson, Qualcomm Technologies and Thales have announced their collaboration for 5G in space
• Future 5G enabled smartphone might actually be able to use 5G connectivity anywhere on Earth
• Collaboration has the potential to reshape the history of communications as it will enable cost-effective connectivity at any place on Earth

Space policies are evolving globally. Governments are formulating policies for enabling wider participation of the private sectors.

In a recent move, Ericsson, Qualcomm Technologies and French aerospace company Thales have announced their collaboration and planning to take 5G in space. Collaboration will help in operationalizing 5G services through space by using network of Earth-orbiting satellites.

Each partner had conducted detailed research including multiple studies and simulations and based on the outcome, companies are planning to enter testing and validation of 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (5G NTN) focused on smartphone-use-case. As a result, a future 5G enabled smartphone might actually be able to use 5G connectivity anywhere on Earth. 5G connectivity can be offered in locations that are presently being served by antiquated satellite phone systems with a limited capability of data connectivity.

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite-based 5G connectivity is anticipated to provide coverage in arid or remote regions across seas, oceans, and other areas where terrestrial coverage is lacking. Such widespread connectivity will improve the capabilities of 5G smartphone subscriber roaming services and enable global connectivity for 5G use cases in the transportation, energy, and health sectors. In the event of significant network disruptions or calamities, the space-based network might also be employed as a backup support system for terrestrial networks.

One of the key use cases for 5G NTNs’ promised security features is to safeguard public networks and government communications.

According to Erik Ekudden, senior VP and CTO Ericsson, cooperation between Ericsson, Thales and Qualcomm on testing and validation have potential to reshape the history of communications as it will enable cost-effective connectivity at any place on Earth.  

From Qualcomm Technologies, SVP Engineering, John Smee said that promise of ubiquitous connectivity through 5G can be fulfilled only by delivering network connectivity in areas where existing cellular networks do not exist. According to him collaboration will support in making ubiquitous connectivity a reality.

According to Philippe Keryer, EVP, Strategy, Research and Tech in Thales, 5G networks will be a gamechanger for the telecoms industry as it will connect and protect billions of people and things.  According to him, collaboration will demonstrate that 5G non-terrestrial Networks is revolutionary and will significantly improve resiliency and security ability of the network

At the end of 2018, the first commercial 5G deployments began in South Korea and the U.S, mostly for fixed wireless connectivity.  Mission Critical Machine Type Communications (MCMTC), Massive Machine Type Communications (mMTC), and Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) are the three key use cases for 5G.

To make 5G from space a reality, some of the biggest names in tech are collaborating. For secure, interoperable communication across terrestrial and space-based networks, Lockheed Martin Space is also offering 5G standards-compliant network solutions. Enhanced service to cities is made possible by space-based 5G. It is also enabling connectivity in remote areas, such as places without conventional mobile coverage, ships offshore, during natural disasters, and on contested battlefields.

Staff Galactik Views