Japan's Airborne Base Stations to Revolutionise Telecommunications by 2025
In a groundbreaking development, Japan's proposed frequencies for airborne telecommunication base stations have been adopted as the global standard at the recent World Radiocommunication Conference.
This significant milestone paves the way for the commercial viability of this technology as early as fiscal 2025.
The adoption of four frequency bands as international standards for airborne base stations is a major achievement for Japan. These frequencies align with the high-altitude platform stations (HAPS) that Japan has been actively developing.
The global standards include the 1.7 gigahertz, 2 GHz, and 2.6 GHz bands, which are crucial for cellular communications. Additionally, the 700 to 900 megahertz "platinum" band will enhance mobile services in Europe, Africa, the Americas, and parts of Asia.
HAPS are unmanned vehicles that operate as cellular base stations in the stratosphere, flying at altitudes of 18 to 25 kilometers. They are considered the next-generation telecom equipment that will expand connectivity in the sky and at sea. Japan has been at the forefront of developing airborne base stations, with SoftBank Corp. successfully testing 5G transmission from the stratosphere using aerial vehicles. This breakthrough enabled a video call between 5G smartphones in Rwanda and Japan, showcasing the potential of this technology.
Space Compass, a joint venture between NTT and Sky Perfect JSAT, plans to offer commercial HAPS services for isolated islands and similar areas starting in the fiscal year beginning April 2025. The company aims to invest tens of billions of yen in the next decade to accelerate the development of HAPS technology. Collaboration with wireless carrier NTT Docomo will further drive progress in this field.
The adoption of Japan's frequencies as global standards is expected to bridge the digital divide and facilitate Japanese business expansion overseas. With over 5.3 billion internet users worldwide, HAPS is seen as a next-generation solution to improve internet access in underserved regions. The World Radiocommunication Conference agreement will encourage the export of unmanned vehicles, telecom systems, and operational management as a comprehensive package. However, the establishment of technological criteria and certification regimes in each market will be crucial for the widespread adoption of HAPS.
Japan's vision for the World Expo 2025 in Osaka includes showcasing telecommunications capabilities with remote islands and digital deserts using HAPS technology. By demonstrating these achievements, Japan aims to compete with Western nations and China in developing infrastructure in emerging markets.
The advantages of HAPS over terrestrial base stations are significant. While terrestrial base stations have coverage ranges of 3 to 10 kilometers, HAPS can provide coverage of up to 200 kilometers. This extended reach will enable connectivity in remote areas such as islands and mountains, making communication restoration during disasters more efficient.
Japan's proposed frequencies for airborne base stations have been adopted as the global standard.
High-altitude platform stations (HAPS) will operate using the 1.7 GHz, 2 GHz, and 2.6 GHz bands.
Space Compass plans to offer commercial HAPS services for isolated islands starting in 2025.
Source: Nikkei Asia