What are HAPs?

HAPs are airships or planes flying in the stratosphere (around 17-22 km altitude) which will carry communication payloads, to serve large metropolitan or regional areas.

This 'alternate wireless technology' combines the advantages of:

	Satellite broadcast
	High capacity broadband capability
	Integration with existing wide area terrestrial or satellite networks
	Rapid deployment
	Fast and economic delivery.

Use of HAPs also eliminates the need for many of the conventional terrestrial radio masts used by today's operators. This is at a time when there is increasing concern about their safety and environmental impact.

Apart from broadband fixed wireless access, potential applications for HAPs include carrying voice and data for the next generation of mobile phones and communicators (3G), environmental monitoring, and remote sensing.

Broadband Communications from Aerial Platforms

What are HAPs?