The sky’s the limit: Demo flights successfully deliver 5G from the stratosphere
25 July 2024
A Cambridge-based company is heralding a new era in global connectivity after a landmark flight trial which saw 5G communications delivered from the air.
Thursday, 18 July marked a historic milestone for Stratospheric Platforms Ltd (SPL) as the company completed successful flight trials.
Following rigorous ground tests with BT at its Adastral Park facility, Stratospheric Platforms Ltd’s state-of-the-art antenna took to the skies.
In collaboration with SPL’s flight test partner, Britten Norman, and in the presence of industry leaders, government officials, and investors, the anticipation was palpable as Britten Norman’s Defender aircraft, equipped with our bespoke antenna installation, ascended into the clear blue sky for its inaugural test flight.
This exciting milestone underscores the immense potential of providing seamless 5G and future 6G infrastructure from the stratosphere. Even better, SPL’s production version will be powered by clean hydrogen and is emission-free.
“The successful flight of our antenna aboard the Defender aircraft is a testament to the dedication, innovation, and hard work of the SPL team,” said Richard Deakin, SPL’s CEO.
“This achievement brings us one step closer to our mission of bridging the global communication divide with low-cost high-speed connectivity.”
This landmark flight trial is the culmination of years of meticulous planning, innovation, and teamwork.
The success of this mission propels us forward in our quest to deliver robust and reliable telecommunications infrastructure from the stratosphere, ensuring global connectivity even in the most remote areas.
“We are thrilled by the positive reception and enthusiastic support from everyone who witnessed this historic event,” added Kevin Bean, SPL’s Chief Technical Officer.
“The future of global communication is within our grasp, and we are committed to making it a reality.”