Posted: 19th Oct, 2005 By: MarkJ
Broadband balloons (High Altitude Platforms) are in the news again today after researchers from the University of York successfully completed an 11Mbps trial in Sweden:
Trials using a 12,000 cubic metre balloon, flying at an altitude of around 24 kilometres for nine hours, have proved it can successfully operate a data rate link of 11Mbps.
"Proving the ability to operate a high data rate link from a moving stratospheric balloon is a critical step in moving towards the longer term aim of providing data rates of 120Mbps," said Dr David Grace, the project's principal scientific officer. The technology isn't just being developed for its potential to cover remote areas, but also as a possible future alternative to existing land-based services.
However, a lot can happen in the three to five year timescale being predicted and there are many technical hurdles yet to be overcome. More @
BBC News Online.