On July 12, Ericsson, Qualcomm technologies and Thales announced plans to deploy 5g on the earth orbit satellite network. After their respective detailed studies (including a number of investigations and simulation tests), the three parties plan to carry out 5g non terrestrial network (5g NTN) testing and verification focusing on smart phone use cases. The effectiveness of the test and verification results means that the future 5g smart phones can use 5g connections anywhere on the earth and provide comprehensive global network coverage for broadband data services, including areas that are usually covered only by traditional satellite phone systems and have limited data connection capabilities. Providing 5g connectivity through LEO satellites is expected to bring a number of advantages, including providing network coverage in extreme regions, remote areas across the ocean, or other areas lacking ground networks. This extensive connection will improve the roaming service function of 5g smart phone users, and bring global network connectivity to 5g use cases in transportation, energy and medical fields. The space-based network can also provide support as the backup of the ground network in case of major network failure or disaster. After being approved by the global telecommunications standards organization 3GPP in March 2022, Ericsson, Thales and Qualcomm technologies conducted testing and validation to support non terrestrial networks for the first time. The purpose of the test is to verify various technical components required to realize 5g non ground network, including 5g smart phones, satellite payloads and ground 5g network system. This work also aims to verify that the smart phone form terminal can support 5g non terrestrial network, so that the future 5g smart phone can effectively become a satellite phone. Most of the European aerospace industry is concentrated in France, so the preliminary test will be carried out in a simulated space environment in France. Ericsson plans to verify the 5g virtual ran (vran) stack, which can be adjusted to process the radio signals transmitted by fast-moving low earth orbit satellites (5g radio waves propagate in the space vacuum environment and the earth's atmosphere). Thales plans to verify 5g wireless satellite payloads suitable for deployment on LEO satellites, while Qualcomm technologies plans to provide test phones to verify that future 5g smartphones can access 5g non terrestrial networks. Experts will use ground equipment to simulate the wireless propagation and time delay between on orbit satellites and 5g smartphones connected to 5g wireless access network in different places on the earth. As a technology supported by 3GPP, 5g non ground network can make full use of the huge ecosystem of standardized products and components. The new specification also supports the inclusion of non terrestrial network technology in 5g terminals, which provides new opportunities for technology suppliers to easily and quickly expand 5g non terrestrial network functions to different terminals. (Xinhua News Agency)