Ericsson and MediaTek have completed what they describe as a world-first end-to-end test of high-precision outdoor positioning over a commercial 5G network.
Using standardized 3GPP technology for Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Real-Time Kinematic (RTK), the companies demonstrated positioning accuracy down to the tens-of-centimeters range.
The test combines GNSS RTK correction data with 5G infrastructure, opening up new possibilities for industrial and autonomous applications where accurate location information is critical.
The approach uses the LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) to integrate RTK correction data into the 5G network, reducing the need for proprietary positioning systems or complex external hardware.
During the test, the system achieved stable outdoor accuracy of less than 30 cm using the handset’s built-in antenna. With a geodetic-grade antenna, the technology can deliver centimeter-level accuracy.
The results could support applications such as autonomous vehicles, drones and industrial robots operating in complex outdoor environments, where precise positioning is essential for safe and reliable operation.
Built on 3GPP Release 16
The solution is based on 3GPP Release 16, providing a standardized approach that can support interoperability between networks and devices and enable broader deployment.
Ericsson and MediaTek tested both unicast and broadcast delivery of GNSS RTK correction data end to end.
This allows networks to adapt how correction information is distributed based on traffic conditions. Unicast can be used in low-traffic areas or when devices are connected to LTE, while broadcast can provide a more efficient option in busy areas.
For unicast GNSS RTK, LPP messages are delivered through Secure User Plane Location (SUPL), which carries the correction data over standard IP connections.
For broadcast GNSS RTK, the correction data is distributed through Positioning System Information Blocks (PosSIBs). This allows GNSS RTK information to be broadcast to all devices within a cell simultaneously, supporting greater scale while reducing network resource requirements.
Security is also built into the standardized approach. Because broadcast information is accessible across a cell, 3GPP standards support encrypted broadcast.
Authorized subscribers can receive the required decryption keys from the core network’s Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), allowing them to access the high-precision positioning data.
Supporting Multiple Correction Methods
The solution supports two main approaches for delivering GNSS correction data. Observation State Representation (OSR) provides direct corrections, while State Space Representation (SSR) offers a more advanced and scalable method by providing information about errors associated with specific GNSS components.
Ericsson conducted the test using its 5G Core, including Ericsson Network Location (ENL), its recently introduced 5G Advanced location services, and its Radio Access Network (RAN). Together, these technologies enable correction data in both OSR and SSR formats to be distributed through the network infrastructure.
MediaTek’s latest 5G modem technology was used to validate the device side of the solution. The modem is designed to process advanced GNSS corrections in real time while maintaining optimized power efficiency.
The demonstration highlights how standardized 5G positioning capabilities could help bring high-precision location services to a wider range of industrial and autonomous applications without relying on proprietary infrastructure.
