#Japan #Tokyo #SoftBank #Sceye #HAPS

Sceye Secures Strategic Investment from SoftBank Corp.

In a groundbreaking collaboration, American aerospace company Sceye recently announced it has received a significant investment from SoftBank Corp., a leading telecommunications operator based in Japan. This partnership, which marks a pivotal moment for Sceye, aims to develop high-altitude platform systems (HAPS) for enhanced connectivity and environmental monitoring services, set to launch in Japan by 2026.

The Significance of the Partnership

Sceye specializes in creating innovative systems that operate from the stratosphere, addressing global communication challenges. With this latest investment, part of Sceye's Series C funding round, SoftBank strengthens its commitment to transform HAPS into a revolutionary infrastructure. This aligns with SoftBank's long-term goal of leveraging technology to improve connectivity in underserved regions.

According to SoftBank, HAPS technology represents the future of telecommunications, especially as traditional mobile networks struggle to meet the demands for expanded coverage. This new venture allows both companies to push the boundaries of connectivity and access, particularly in challenging environments.

A Vision for the Future

As the world advances towards 6G technology, the demand for a three-dimensional communication infrastructure increases. Sceye's HAPS systems are designed to complement existing ground towers and satellite constellations, providing a significant boost to connectivity and resilience.

SoftBank plans to begin offering pre-commercial HAPS services in Japan by 2026, positioning itself to restore communications during disasters like earthquakes and improve accessibility in remote areas, including mountainous regions and isolated islands. This innovative approach will ultimately enhance emergency response capabilities and ensure universal access to telecommunications.

The Technical Edge of HAPS

HAPS technology offers various advantages over traditional satellite communication. These include faster speeds, greater capacity, lower latency, and more flexible deployment options. SoftBank and Sceye's collaboration aims to strengthen network resilience and make high-speed internet available to a broader audience throughout Japan.

Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen, CEO of Sceye, emphasized the importance of SoftBank's investment in validating Sceye's platform viability. He stated, “We are proud to have SoftBank as a strategic partner as we accelerate towards commercializing our services.” This confidence builds on the previous success of Sceye's 2024 flight program, where it achieved a milestone by remaining aloft in the stratosphere for over 24 hours.

Strengthening Technical Capabilities

SoftBank's expertise in non-terrestrial networks (NTN) enhances its investment in stratospheric telecommunications based on Sceye’s technology. Junichi Miyakawa, CEO of SoftBank Corp., highlighted their journey in developing HAPS services since 2017 and expressed excitement for launching pre-commercial services through this partnership. He noted that providing broadband telecommunications from the stratosphere is key to extending network coverage into hard-to-reach areas and aiding disaster recovery.

Conclusion

Sceye’s partnership with SoftBank Corp. not only solidifies the company's technological advancements but also sets the stage for the next evolution in telecommunications. This collaboration exemplifies a shared vision of overcoming global connectivity challenges while enhancing emergency response capabilities in Japan. With continued development and support, Sceye is poised to revolutionize the telecommunications landscape through its high-altitude platform systems.

In summarizing their ambitions, Sceye and SoftBank are laying the groundwork for significant advancements in global communications, symbolizing the dawn of a new age of connectivity that bridges the skies and the ground effectively.