SoftBank Corp. (President & CEO: Junichi Miyakawa, “SoftBank”) is conducting worldwide standardization actions associated to the Excessive Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) spectrum for stratospheric-based wi-fi communication techniques on the Worldwide Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) and Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT). SoftBank at the moment introduced that the growth of HAPS spectrum use was formally agreed upon at ITU-R’s World Radiocommunication Convention 2023 (WRC-23) held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from November 20 to December 15, 2023. SoftBank has been main discussions in ITU-R and APT to symbolize Japan, and the choice so as to add three extra cellular spectrum bands, specifically 700-900MHz, 1.7GHz, and a pair of.5GHz, got here following deliberations at WRC-23. Because of this choice, operators in several nations and areas will have the ability to select a spectrum with better flexibility once they introduce HAPS-based cellular broadband communication providers and thereby allow seamless utilization with present smartphones and different gadgets.
After the decision to make the growth of spectrum for HAPS base stations an agenda merchandise at WRC-23 was efficiently adopted at ITU-R’s World Radiocommunication Convention 2019 (WRC-19)*1, SoftBank has been main associated discussions at ITU-R and APT to understand the proposal. Representing Japan, SoftBank additionally actively participated in technical research and regulatory discussions associated to the candidate world cellular spectrum bands*2 (700-900MHz, 1.7GHz, and a pair of.5GHz) inside ITU-R, and engaged in discussions and the drafting of the APT Frequent Proposal on modifications to the Radio Laws submitted to WRC-23. SoftBank’s actions throughout this era tremendously contributed to the choice made at WRC-23 to increase spectrum use for HAPS base stations.
Beneath earlier ITU-R stipulated laws, it was attainable to function HAPS cellular base stations utilizing the 2GHz cellular spectrum band, however the utilization of different world cellular spectrum bands (700-900MHz, 1.7GHz, and a pair of.5GHz) was prohibited. The choice at WRC-23 to change ITU-R’s Radio Laws to increase HAPS spectrum bands to world cellular spectrum bands outdoors 2GHz will give operators and governments in several nations and areas around the globe extra flexibility once they research and put together for the introduction of HAPS providers. Consequently, it’s anticipated that much more nations and areas will have the ability to implement providers that make the most of direct communications between HAPS base stations and customers with present smartphones. The added spectrum will notably assist allow the availability of steady communication networks in unconnected areas—such because the sky, distant islands, mountainous areas, and in creating nations—that are troublesome to cowl with floor base stations, in addition to help the immediate restoration of communication providers when terrestrial community communication providers are disrupted by large-scale disasters.
Using HAPS applied sciences to assist understand its imaginative and prescient of “a world the place all issues, data and minds are linked,” SoftBank will—in collaboration with nations and areas and anxious regulatory authorities—proceed to conduct worldwide standardization actions for HAPS spectrum bands, and advance analysis and improvement actions to organize for commercialization.
To be taught extra about SoftBank’s HAPS initiatives, please go to this web site.
*1For extra particulars, please discuss with this press launch from SoftBank dated December 4, 2019: “SoftBank Corp. and HAPSMobile-led Proposal for Expanded Use of HAPS Spectrum Bands Adopted as Agenda Merchandise for World Radiocommunication Convention 2023”*2Spectrum bands used each abroad and in Japan for cell phones.SoftBank, the SoftBank title and emblem are registered logos or logos of SoftBank Group Corp. in Japan and different nations.Different firm, product and repair names on this press launch are registered logos or logos of the respective corporations.