SoftBank's HAPSMobile to invest USD 125 million in Alphabet's Loon

News Wireless Global 25 APR 2019
SoftBank's HAPSMobile to invest USD 125 million in Alphabet's Loon
SoftBank's HAPSMobile and Alphabet's Loon have teamed up to advance the use of high altitude vehicles, such as balloons and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), to bring connectivity to more people, places, and things worldwide. HAPSMobile will invest USD 125 million in Loon, and Loon has obtained the right to invest the same amount in HAPSMobile in the future. The companies are also exploring commercial collaborations to accelerate the deployment of high altitude network connectivity services, with a focus on expanding mobile internet penetration, enabling IoT applications, and assisting in the deployment of 5G.

Specifically, the companies have entered into formal negotiations on a number of areas of potential technical and commercial collaboration, including a wholesale business that would allow HAPSMobile to use Loon's fully-functioning vehicle and technology. Likewise, Loon would be able to use HAPSMobile's aircraft, which is currently in development, upon its completion. 

HAPSMobile and Loon negotiations also cover a jointly developed communications payload that is adaptable to multiple flight vehicles and various ITU compliant frequency bands; a common gateway or ground station that could be deployed globally and utilized by both Loon and HAPSMobile to provide connectivity over their respective platforms; adapting and optimizing Loon's fleet management system and temporospatial SDN for use by HAPSMobile; creating an alliance to promote the use of high altitude communications solution with regulators and officials worldwide; as well as enabling flight vehicles from each party to connect and share the same network connectivity in the air.

Related Articles