UK telecoms company BT is testing a powerful new antenna technology that, once mounted on a high-altitude platform station (HAPS) drone, is expected to provide 4G and 5G services of up to 150 Mbps over areas as large as 15,000 square kilometers.

BT said it will soon begin trials using an antenna made by tech partner Stratospheric Platforms Ltd. (SPL), which is specifically designed for operation from HAPS drones flown at altitudes of around 20 km. The aerials transmit 4G and 5G signals through 500 beams that are individually directed to provide robust connectivity to areas as wide as 140 km. 

Read: Airbus’ Zephyr HAPS unit seeks partners for stratospheric drone’s commercialization

Initial tests will be held in BT’s research and development center using very tall ground structures in simulated deployment of the tech. The telecon hopes its terrestrial dry runs will open the way for the major advantages it believes the system will offer from on…

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Source: dronedj.com