The idea of sky-based cell towers has been floated before, but has yet to be adopted on a large scale. While balloon delivery is a quick way to erect a cell tower in a remote or compromised setting, additional factors, like the weather, make flying cell towers an unpredictable business venture. However, as Data Center Dynamics reports, SoftBank has been testing a high altitude delivery system that could put more blimps back in the sky.
Operating out of Japan’s Hokkaido Spaceport, SoftBank Group Corp, the U.S. arm of SoftBank Corp, partnered with Altaeros Energies Inc. to conduct a field test. The partners reported a successful implementation of stable wide-area network coverage. The connection paired Altaeros’ aerostat with SoftBank’s base station and unique cylindrical antenna. SoftBank developed the multi-element phased array antenna to facilitate transferring connections as platforms move.
The tethered balloon rose to over 800 feet to extend digital connectivity to a wide swath of people on the ground. An exact determination of the reach of the coverage was not provided. The partners did note that the system performed well and delivered a strong signal that was unaffected by wind and weather.
Both SoftBank and Altaeros have some experience with aeostat systems. SoftBank once helmed the HAPSMobile project, and between them SoftBank and Altaeros now own patents from defunct ventures like Alphabet’s project Loon.
In its current iteration, the Altaeros SuperTower platform can power 1kW of equipment. The system can carry a payload of 660 lbs, and with its ST-Flex system, can lift up to 130 lbs more. Flying at an altitude of 1,000 feet, the tethered balloon can withstand winds up to 63mph, the company noted.
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