Japan's largest mobile carrier NTT Docomo Inc. said that it aims to commercialize high-altitude platform services in 2026 to establish a system that can quickly restore connectivity in the event of disruptions caused by earthquakes or other disasters.
NTT Docomo said it will lead a consortium of Japanese businesses to invest up to $100 million in a subsidiary of European aerospace giant Airbus SE to leverage its technology for operating such platform stations in the stratosphere for long periods.
The emerging technology, also known as HAPS, refers to systems where unmanned aircraft flying at an altitude of around 20 kilometers for months can be operated like telecommunication base stations.
SoftBank Corp., another of Japan's top three carriers, is also working on developing HAPS, which is expected to improve connectivity in disaster situations and expand mobile coverage to remote areas such as islands and mountainous regions.
The joint venture between NTT Docomo and Airbus also involves Mizuho Bank and the Development Bank of Japan.
Source: https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20240603/p2g/00m/0bu/026000c