- The activity follows approval for satellite-driven 5G
non-terrestrial networks (5G NTNs) from the 3GPP global
telecommunications standards' body
- 5G non-terrestrial networks could help to provide complete
global 5G coverage - including areas currently not served by
terrestrial networks
- This initial work in France
would be to test and validate 5G NTN to gain leverage from the
satellite and ICT ecosystem
STOCKHOLM, July 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ericsson
(NASDAQ: ERIC), French aerospace company Thales (Euronext Paris:
HO), and wireless technology innovator Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
(NASDAQ: QCOM) are planning to take 5G out of this world and across
a network of Earth-orbiting satellites.
After having each conducted detailed research, which included
multiple studies and simulations, the parties plan to enter
smartphone-use-case-focused testing and validation of 5G
non-terrestrial networks (5G NTN).
The result could effectively mean that a future 5G smartphone
could use 5G connectivity anywhere on Earth and provide complete
global coverage for wideband data services, including places
normally only covered by legacy satellite phone systems with
limited data connectivity capabilities.
The benefits of 5G connectivity via low Earth Orbit (LEO)
satellites are expected to include coverage in extreme geographies
or remote areas across seas, oceans and other locations where
terrestrial coverage is absent.
Such widespread connectivity would boost 5G smartphone
subscriber roaming service capabilities, as well as enabling global
connectivity for transportation, energy and health sector 5G use
cases.
The space-based network could also be used as back-up support to
terrestrial networks in the event of major network outages or
disasters.
The expected security capabilities of 5G NTNs mean that national
government communications may be a main use case, to enhance safe
and secure national security and public safety government
networks.
Erik Ekudden, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology
Officer, Ericsson, says: "This testing and validation cooperation
between Ericsson, Thales and Qualcomm Technologies will be a major
milestone in the history of communications as the ultimate result
could effectively mean that no matter where you are on Earth - in
the middle of an ocean or the remotest forest - high-end, secure
and cost-effective connectivity will be available through
collaborative 5G satellite and terrestrial connectivity."
John Smee, senior vice president
of engineering, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., says: "For 5G to
fulfill on the promise of ubiquitous connectivity, it is imperative
that it can also deliver network coverage in areas where
terrestrial cellular networks do not exist, whether that be over
oceans or in remote areas. Our planned research with Ericsson and
Thales will kick off an important step in making this vital
technology a reality. We are looking forward to what this
collaboration can accomplish."
Philippe Keryer, Executive Vice-President, Strategy, Research
and Technology, Thales, says:
"The deployment of 5G networks marks a step change for the
telecoms industry. It is a game changer, not only in terms of
business opportunities but also in the skills required to connect
and protect billions of people and things. Thales is deeply
involved in it through the different activities of the Group.
The research collaboration with Ericsson and Qualcomm Technologies
will demonstrate the belief of our companies that 5G
non-terrestrial Networks will contribute to this revolution and
will take network resiliency and security to the next level. "
The Cooperation
The testing and validation by Ericsson, Thales and Qualcomm
Technologies following the March 2022
go-ahead by 3GPP - the global telecommunications standards' body -
is intended to support non-terrestrial networks for the first
time.
The goal of the testing will be to validate various technology
components needed to enable 5G non-terrestrial networks, including
a 5G smartphone, satellite payload and 5G network pieces on the
ground.
This work also aims to validate that 5G NTN can be supported in
a smartphone form factor allowing tomorrow's 5G smartphone to
effectively become a satellite-phone. Initial tests will take place
in an emulated space environment in France, where the majority of European
space-focused industry is based.
Ericsson plans to verify a 5G virtual RAN (vRAN) stack, modified
to handle radio signals propagating (what happens to 5G radio waves
travelling through the vacuum of space and the Earth's atmosphere)
via the fast-moving LEO satellites.
Thales plans to verify a 5G radio satellite payload suitable for
deployment on LEO satellites, while Qualcomm Technologies plans to
provide test phones verifying that 5G NTN can be accessed by future
5G smartphones.
Experts will use ground-based equipment to emulate the 5G radio
propagation and time delays between an equipped satellite in orbit
and connecting a 5G smartphone with the 5G radio access network at
different places on the Earth's surface.
Ekudden adds: "While it is too early to say when any resulting
5G equipped prototype satellite could be launched into orbit for
real operational use, the highly technical ground-based testing and
validation work planned between Ericsson, Thales and Qualcomm
Technologies is key to making it happen."
As a 3GPP-backed technology, 5G NTNs will be able to capitalize
on a large ecosystem of standardized products and components. The
new specification also enables the inclusion of NTN technologies in
5G devices, providing opportunities for technology vendors to
easily and quickly scale 5G NTN compatibility across devices.
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ABOUT ERICSSON:
Ericsson enables communications service providers to capture the
full value of connectivity. The company's portfolio spans the
business areas Networks, Cloud Software and Services, Enterprise
Wireless Solutions, and Technologies and New Businesses. It is
designed to help our customers go digital, increase efficiency and
find new revenue streams. Ericsson's innovation investments have
delivered the benefits of mobility and mobile broadband to billions
of people globally. Ericsson stock is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm
and on Nasdaq New York. www.ericsson.com
ABOUT THALES:
Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced
technologies, investing in digital and "deep tech" innovations -
connectivity, big data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and
quantum computing - to build a confident future crucial for the
development of our societies. The Group provides its customers -
businesses, organisations and governments - in the defense,
aeronautics, space, transport, and digital identity and security
domains with solutions, services and products that help them fulfil
their critical role, consideration for the individual being the
driving force behind all decisions. Thales has 81,000
employees in 68 countries. In 2021 the Group generated sales of
€16.2 billion.
ABOUT QUALCOMM:
Qualcomm is the world's leading wireless technology innovator and
the driving force behind the development, launch, and expansion of
5G. When we connected the phone to the internet, the mobile
revolution was born. Today, our foundational technologies enable
the mobile ecosystem and are found in every 3G, 4G and 5G
smartphone. We bring the benefits of mobile to new industries,
including automotive, the internet of things, and computing, and
are leading the way to a world where everything and everyone can
communicate and interact seamlessly.
Qualcomm Incorporated includes our licensing business, QTL, and the
vast majority of our patent portfolio. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.,
a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its
subsidiaries, substantially all of our engineering, research and
development functions, and substantially all of our products and
services businesses, including our QCT semiconductor business.
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