Sceye Secures Strategic Investment from SoftBank to Boost HAPS Development in Japan by 2026

Sceye and SoftBank Join Forces to Transform Communication



In a significant move for the aerospace and telecommunications industries, Sceye, a prominent U.S.-based aerospace company, has announced a strategic investment from SoftBank Corp., a major player in global telecommunications. This partnership aims to strengthen the development of High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS), which are designed to improve connectivity and facilitate environmental monitoring from the stratosphere.

This pivotal investment marks SoftBank’s first tranche of funding in Sceye's Series C round, as the telecom giant prepares to enhance its services, with pre-commercial HAPS services set to launch in Japan by 2026. Traditionally, mobile networks have been confined to providing 2D coverage for smartphones and vehicles. However, as we transition into an era dominated by 6G technology, the landscape of telecommunications is expected to evolve into utilizing 3D architectures. These advancements will support an increased need for connectivity via drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

SoftBank's investment acknowledges Sceye's technical innovation and operational maturity, focusing on HAPS as a scalable solution that synergizes with existing terrestrial networks and satellite technology. By integrating HAPS, SoftBank aims to ensure more reliable connectivity, particularly in disaster-prone regions, such as rural mountainous areas or isolated islands, where traditional communication infrastructures often fall short.

Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen, CEO and Founder of Sceye, commented on the partnership, stating, “SoftBank brings a wealth of experience in non-terrestrial connectivity and has long championed the stratosphere as the next frontier for solving some of the world's most pressing challenges. Their investment affirms the viability of Sceye's platform. We are proud to welcome them as a strategic partner as we accelerate toward commercial service.”

The strategic collaboration between Sceye and SoftBank will enable pre-commercial HAPS services to deliver crucial telecommunications support during major disasters, reinforcing network resilience and enhancing nationwide connectivity. This initiative not only aligns with SoftBank's corporate philosophy of harnessing information to create societal benefits but also emphasizes its commitment to advancing the capacity and reach of telecommunications services.

As a notable milestone, Sceye's recent success in completing the first full diurnal flight in the stratosphere for over 24 hours acted as a key proof point for its HAPS technology. This achievement bolsters Sceye’s position in the market, validating the feasibility of deploying geostationary platforms that operate just below orbital altitudes.

Junichi Miyakawa, President and CEO of SoftBank Corp., expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting, “As a global pioneer, SoftBank has been developing HAPS-based services since 2017. We are excited to launch LTA-type HAPS pre-commercial services in Japan by 2026 through this partnership, addressing communications gaps in areas difficult to serve with existing infrastructure.”

Founded in 2014, Sceye has pioneered efforts in High-Altitude Platform Systems, conducting more than 20 successful flights and collaborating with various federal and state partners to create an innovative infrastructure layer that connects land and space systems. Their platforms are instrumental in enhancing connectivity and managing climate disasters in real-time, contributing positively to environmental monitoring efforts.

At the same time, SoftBank, through its “Beyond Carrier” strategy, is pushing into non-telecom fields, enhancing its telecom business with powerful technologies like 5G/6G, the Internet of Things (IoT), and other advanced networking solutions, focusing on creating a cohesive future for telecommunications.

As the partnership between Sceye and SoftBank unfolds, the telecommunications landscape is poised to evolve dramatically, ushering in a new era of connectivity that promises not just efficiency, but also resilience against the challenges of our changing planet.

Topics Consumer Technology)

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