An unmanned helium-lifted airship equipped with a 5G base station has completed a test flight successfully in southwest China.

The airship aims to provide communication services for emergency rescue and disaster relief in the future.

The airship "5G Cloud One" flew 300 meters above ground undertaking a variety of tests in Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province – a region prone to mudslides, landslides, flooding and other natural disasters – with a payload of more than 200 kg and a signal coverage area of up to 100 square km.

It can stay in the air for over 15 days and withstand strong winds.

The airship's innovative 5G technology can effectively make up for the shortcomings of traditional communication methods in emergencies such as slow data transmission and limited coverage, said Chen Guowei, an engineer with the Yunnan branch of China Mobile.

It was developed jointly by the Yunnan branch of China Mobile, Yunnan Innovation Institute of Beihang University and Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.