China has achieved a major technological milestone by successfully conducting the world’s first direct 5G satellite-to-phone video call, led by China Satellite Network Group (China SatNet). The demonstration, fully compliant with 3GPP Release 17 Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) standards, connected an ordinary smartphone directly to a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite, without relying on any ground-based infrastructure.
This marks the first true integration of 5G and satellite communications, enabling seamless broadband connectivity anywhere on Earth. The achievement highlights China’s progress toward its planned Guowang mega-constellation of 13,000+ LEO satellites and positions the nation at the forefront of direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity. Beyond its technical significance, this innovation promises transformative impacts on global connectivity, disaster resilience, and digital inclusion, bridging remote and underserved regions worldwide.
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