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 (Ericsson PR) — 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.