The Government of Rwanda has partnered with SoftBank Corporation to successfully test SoftBank’s proprietary 5G communications payload in the stratosphere, using solar-powered High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) prototype positioned in Rwanda’s airspace..
SoftBank conducted a groundbreaking 5G communications trial using a High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) positioned above Rwanda. The Government of Rwanda and SoftBank Corp. announced the successful test of SoftBank’s proprietary 5G communications payload in the stratosphere, which is approximately 6-20 km (4-12 miles) above the Earth’s surface, reaching up to 50 km (31 miles).
The demonstration was conducted on 24th September 2023 and marked the world’s first publicly announced delivery of 5G connectivity from a HAPS UAV in the stratosphere. In June 2023, a stratospheric flight test was conducted in Rwanda where the HAPS UAV prototype carried a mock-up of the payload with a similar weight and dimensions.
SoftBank’s communications payload continuously delivered 5G connectivity for approximately 73 minutes in the stratosphere at a maximum altitude of 16.9km and performed as expected in demanding atmospheric conditions.
During the test, the payload enabled a 5G-based Zoom video call between a 5G smartphone at the test site in Rwanda and SoftBank team members in Japan.
In July 2020, SoftBank’s subsidiary HAPSMobile signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of ICT and Innovation of Rwanda under which both parties pledged to conduct a Joint Research Project (JRP) that aimed to study the productive use of HAPS to provide mobile Internet connectivity in Rwanda and other solutions.
Junichi Miyakawa, President & CEO of SoftBank Corporation, expressed his enthusiasm, emphasizing the potential of bridging the digital divide with HAPS and other NTN (non-terrestrial network) solutions. Paula Ingabire, Minister of ICT and Innovation of the Republic of Rwanda, praised the promising results of the 5G delivery stratospheric test and its potential for narrowing the digital divide and enhancing digital inclusion.
HAPS, whether using airships, balloons, or fixed-wing drones, provides a cost-effective means to bring connectivity to rural and unconnected areas without the need for extensive cell towers or satellites. The drones can provide coverage over vast areas for extended periods.
Following the successful trial, SoftBank and the Government of Rwanda plan to explore potential HAPS use cases and commercial implementation not only in Rwanda but also in other regions of Africa. Some use cases under consideration include connecting schools and communities in rural areas without existing internet access.
SoftBank is in the process of integrating HAPSMobile Inc. into its operations while continuing platform development. The company has a history of investments in various sky-based technologies, including Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite companies, as well as aerostats (tethered blimps). It was also previously involved in Google’s high-altitude Loon project.
SoftBank and Rwanda’s HAPs trials for internet connectivity have significant potential to expand connectivity to underserved and remote regions, especially in Africa, where more than 65% of the population have access to the internet compared to over 80% in the developed world. The World Bank believes that raising access to 75% would boost the developing world’s collective GDP by $2 trillion and create 140 million new jobs.
