5G Is Traveling To Space To Better Connect People On Earth

5G is heading out of this world. A satellite has been built by Swedish telecommunications company Ericsson—along with French aerospace company Thales and Qualcomm Technologies—to send 5G into space to improve terrestrial connectivity.

The network is expected to bring 5G to areas previously out of reach.

With the satellite in low-Earth orbit (LEO), everywhere from remote mountain ranges to the middle of the ocean could soon have access to 5G, connecting the world in unprecedented ways. Full 5G coverage will benefit many people, including not only researchers out in the field but also isolated communities. 

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) telecommunications standards body approved the project, allowing the non-terrestrial network (NTN) to be launched into orbit. 

The three companies are working on conducting tests together in France in a simulated space environment to iron out the kinks before the satellite is ready to be orbited. When the project is finished, ordinary smartphones will be converted into satellite phones.  

Because they are supported by 3GPP, 5G NTNs will be adaptable to a wide range of devices. Tech companies will be able to easily tap into the new network connectivity and make their devices 5G NTN-compatible. 

[via Reuters and Ericsson, Photo 163542724 © Kampan Butshi | Dreamstime.com]