UK funds flying broadband stations with power beamed from below

You can get broadband in remote areas at a lower cost than satellite service.

The UK's Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) is funding 18 projects under its £70 million ($94 million) Enduring Atmospheric Platforms program. The initiative aims to develop high-altitude pseudo-satellites (HAPS) capable of staying aloft for a week, providing connectivity to underserved areas. Key goals include delivering 300W of power to a communications payload continuously for seven days. Projects are exploring various technologies for sustained flight and power, such as advanced fuel cells, laser and radio frequency power beaming, and even using atmospheric gravity waves for propulsion. Specific projects include Menapia's Carousel constellation of multi-rotor aircraft and VFP Aerospace's Enduring Drone Networks, which proposes a relay system with ground station recharging. ARIA's objective is to establish the UK as a hub for designing, building, and scaling HAPS technology as an alternative to orbital satellites.

This program signals a significant investment in alternative connectivity solutions, positioning high-altitude pseudo-satellites as a viable competitor to traditional satellite internet. The focus on power beaming and extended endurance addresses critical limitations of current HAPS technology, potentially opening up new markets for persistent aerial platforms. Companies involved in aerospace, energy transmission, and telecommunications will be closely watching these developments as they could reshape the infrastructure for global connectivity.

The success of ARIA's funded projects could lead to a new class of 'atmospheric internet' providers, offering more agile and potentially cheaper broadband services than orbital satellites. This diversification of connectivity options will benefit users in remote or disaster-stricken regions, as well as potentially enabling new applications requiring constant, localized aerial coverage. The push for cost-effective drone solutions also suggests a future where broadband infrastructure can be rapidly deployed and maintained with less reliance on fixed ground stations.