SoftBank tests stratospheric aerial base station in Japan 1st

CompaniesBalloon-like station designed to maintain communications during emergenciesSoftBank's test used a High-Altitude Platform Station from U.S. aerospace startup Sceye to demonstrate communications capabilities. (SoftBank)NATSUKI YAMAMOTOSeptember 3, 2026 05:11 JSTTOKYO -- SoftBank Corp. has completed the first successful trials in Japan using a communications base station that is aloft, the Japanese telecommunications company announced Wednesday, targeting 2027 for commercialization.