Google and Softbank’Stratosphere Internet Project’

Google’s stratospheric hot air balloon Internet project, Loon, has announced a partnership with Softbank’s High Altitude Platfrom Station (HAPS), launched in April 2019. The two sides also announced that they have also completed the development of a communication system for the solar-powered drone HAWK30.

This communication system can transmit data up to 1Gbps by establishing a peer-to-peer connection with a location up to 700km away using millimeter waves. HAWK30 is equipped with a mechanism that always aims the antenna in the optimal direction according to the position during flight and a housing considering the aerodynamics for optimal communication flying at a speed of 100km/h or more in the sky.

Thanks to this antenna, the HAWK30 can provide Internet connectivity to thousands of smartphone users living in remote locations from existing terrestrial base stations. It is not yet clear when the HAWK30 will be officially available, but Rune will reveal more details about the system in the future. Related information can be found here .