Stratospheric internet could finally start taking off this year

Stratospheric Internet Takes Flight

As the world grapples with the challenges of providing internet access to remote and underserved communities, a new generation of stratospheric internet platforms is emerging. These high-altitude platforms, or HAPS, promise to bring reliable, high-speed internet connectivity to areas where traditional infrastructure is lacking.

A Troubled Past

The concept of using HAPS for internet delivery has been explored since the 1990s, but it has struggled to gain traction. Google's Loon project, launched in 2011, aimed to deliver access using high-altitude balloons stationed above predetermined spots on Earth. However, the project faced technical difficulties, including the balloons drifting away and new ones needing to be released constantly, making the venture economically unfeasible. Facebook's Aquila project also faced similar challenges and was discontinued.

A New Era of HAPS

Despite the setbacks, several companies are now working on new HAPS designs that promise to overcome the challenges of the past. Aalto HAPS, a spinoff from the European aerospace manufacturer Airbus, has developed a solar-powered UAV with a 25-meter wingspan that has conducted many long-duration test flights in recent years. The company's Zephyr craft broke a HAPS record by staying afloat for 67 consecutive days in April 2025.

Japan: A Perfect Test Bed

Japan is a perfect test bed for HAPS due to its unique geography. Many of the country's roughly 430 inhabited islands are remote, mountainous, and sparsely populated, making them too costly to connect with terrestrial cell towers. Aalto HAPS is partnering with Japan's largest mobile network operators, NTT DOCOMO and the telecom satellite operator Space Compass, to use Zephyr as part of next-generation telecommunication infrastructure.

Cheaper and Faster

Sceye, a New Mexico-based company, has developed a solar-powered helium-filled airship that is also eyeing Japan for pre-commercial trials of its stratospheric connectivity service. The firm is working with the Japanese telecommunications giant SoftBank, which is betting on HAPS to take its networks to another level. Sceye's airship can "point into the wind" and more effectively maintain its position, allowing it to stay over an area of operation while maintaining altitude.

A Game-Changer for Remote Communities

The persistent digital divide is a major challenge for remote communities, where satellite internet currently comes at a price tag that can be too high for people in developing countries. HAPS can connect the world's unconnected more cheaply, as they can hover and afford a constant view of a region, and more HAPS can be launched to meet higher demand.

World Mobile: A New Player in the HAPS Market

World Mobile, a telecommunications company headquartered in London, thinks its hydrogen-powered high-altitude UAV can compete directly with satellite mega-constellations. The company acquired the HAPS developer Stratospheric Platforms last year and plans to flight-test an innovative phased array antenna, which it claims will be able to deliver bandwidth of 200 megabits per second.

Implications and Future Directions

The emergence of HAPS has significant implications for the future of internet connectivity. As the technology continues to evolve, it is likely to play a major role in bridging the digital divide and providing access to remote and underserved communities. However, the HAPS market is still in its early stages, and it will be crucial to address the technical and economic challenges that have hindered the development of HAPS in the past.

Conclusion

The stratospheric internet is taking flight, and it has the potential to revolutionize the way we access the internet. With the emergence of new HAPS designs and the investment of major players in the industry, it is likely that we will see significant advancements in the coming years. As the technology continues to evolve, it will be crucial to address the challenges that have hindered its development in the past and to ensure that it is accessible to all.

Source: https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/01/27/1131780/stratospheric-internet-take-off/