New star in comms firmament – Softbank positions HAPS between terrestrial and satellite

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-03T05:11:03.103Z • Permanent link

Softbank, a Japanese conglomerate, has taken a significant step in the global telecommunications landscape by positioning the High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) between terrestrial and satellite networks. The move is seen as a strategic play to expand the reach and capabilities of HAPS, a type of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed to provide high-speed internet and communication services over vast areas.

Takes center stage is the HAPS, a product of Softbank's subsidiary, Softbank Vision Fund, which has been working on the technology since 2017. The company has been conducting tests and demonstrations of the HAPS in various locations, including the United States and Japan. The HAPS is designed to fly at altitudes of up to 90,000 feet and can cover distances of over 1,000 miles.

Key to the success of HAPS is its ability to provide high-speed internet and communication services over long distances, making it an attractive option for remote or underserved areas. Softbank aims to leverage the HAPS to provide connectivity services to areas that are currently underserved or unconnected, such as rural regions or disaster-stricken areas.

Softbank's move to position HAPS between terrestrial and satellite networks has significant implications for the Telecom & Satellite Networks domain. For companies like SpaceX, OneWeb, and Amazon's Kuiper Systems, which are also working on HAPS technology, Softbank's announcement is seen as a major development.

Competitors will need to reassess their strategies in light of Softbank's success. In the United States, companies like Verizon and AT&T are already investing heavily in HAPS technology, and Softbank's announcement may force them to accelerate their plans.

On the policy front, Softbank's move highlights the growing importance of HAPS technology in the global telecommunications landscape. Governments and regulatory bodies will need to update their policies and regulations to accommodate the growing use of HAPS technology, which could lead to new opportunities and challenges for the industry.