Non-terrestrial networks (NTN) are being integrated into 5G standards and, according to standards body ATIS, "maximize the inherent value of 5G networks by solving coverage problems and difficult use-cases that ground-based infrastructure alone cannot address." While NTN are often assumed to be LEO or...
Loon's work on stratosphere-based communications will live on through Softbank, HAPSMobile
In the wake of Alphabet winding down its stratospheric communications initiative, Loon, Softbank and its HAPSMobile subsidiary are picking up some of Loon's high-altitude platform intellectual property.
Softbank says that it has acquired about...
A video call connected from the stratosphere topped off a recent test of an autonomous, fixed-wing aircraft, as Loon and HAPSMobile successfully put a telecommunications payload into the upper reaches of the atmosphere and used it to deliver LTE connectivity.
Video from the test shows...
Amazon has permission from the Federal Communications Commission to move ahead with launching a geostationary satellite constellation of more than 3,200 satellites, to provide fixed and mobile broadband services in the continental U.S. and other global locations.
Dubbed Kuiper, the satellites will operate in portions...
HAPS Alliance includes Ericsson, Nokia, SoftBank, DT, Telefonica, China Telecom, Bharti Airtel and Loon, among others
A coalition of companies are aiming for the stratosphere as a "multi-billion dollar market opportunity" in telecommunications, planetary observation and weather prediction and modeling—including five traditionally terrestrial cellular network...
System relies on millimeter-wave-based backhaul to communicate with the ground and other UAS
Japanese tech giant Softbank and Alphabet's Loon have taken another step in establishing communications links based on unmanned aircraft system (UAS) flying in the earth's stratosphere.
The two companies said recently that they...
Live video production company LiveU is working with a number of mobile network operators around the world to test the use of 5G for live sports and entertainment video streaming. The company announced this week a new hardware unit for global newsgathering and live...
