The first version of global 5G standards for the non-standalone New Radio network was passed Thursday, signaling that telecom equipment suppliers and manufacturers can start developing 5G hardware, a big step forward in the commercialization of 5G technology.

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project, or 3GPP, a global organization that oversees cellular standards, has agreed on the specifications for Non-Standalone 5G NR (New Radio) at a meeting in Lisbon, Portugal.

The move signals major progress in the commercialization of 5G, or the next generation of mobile communication technology, which will allow consumers to download an 8-gigabit movie in seconds and execute tasks that are thrilling but impossible in the 4G era.

China Mobile, as the sole entity that conceived of the 5G System Architecture project, led research on application scenarios and demand for 5G NR technology.

Yang Chaobin, president of Huawei Technology's 5G product line, said phase 1 of the 5G standardization was completed "with great progress" thanks to collaboration between regulatory agencies, governments, research organizations, academia and industry.

"Huawei will keep working with global partners to bring 5G into the period of large-scale global commercial deployment from 2018," he said.

China Telecom senior vice president Liu Guiqing said the carrier would be looking to launch field trials in many Chinese major cities during 2018.