Loon LLC an Alphabet Inc. subsidiary is working to bring HAPS-powered Internet access to unserved and underserved communities around the world. Loon has submitted its statement pursuant to the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in support of its application for an Experimental Radio Service License (“Experimental License”) to conduct a market trial.
Loon seeks authority to tap spectrum between 70 GHz and 90 GHz (E-band), from fixed base stations in Puerto Rico that will utilize High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) as relay transmission points to deliver broadband service to maritime vessels operating in line-of-sight. They are aiming to overcome resistance from operators seeking to use it for 5G backhaul. Loon’s unmanned HAPS balloons are capable of months-long flight at altitudes of approximately 20 km. Depending on the application and configuration, Loon’s balloons may be equipped with an energy-efficient communications payload that employs standard LTE frequencies for the user access links, or, alternatively, they may be equipped with E-band payloads for feeder link service.
The company is arguing its case in a recent series of meetings with FCC staff, stating the regulator could adopt new rules opening the frequencies to air- and sea-based connectivity services which rely on “antennas in motion” without risking significant interference with fixed terrestrial systems. It stated existing data provided sufficient evidence for the move without waiting for fresh coexistence research. Loon argued stating that the move could boost rural rollouts. Also, authorizing antennas in motion will not distract the FCC from, or delay deployment of, 5G. It added that an existing registration framework could be used by terrestrial and aerospace players to coordinate usage, and backed dynamic spectrum sharing to “enable even more efficient and innovative use”. Loon’s comments were part of a consultation process launched by the FCC in June.
Industry group CTIA previously dismissed Loon’s proposal as “premature”, insisting “significant additional engineering analysis” was required to prove services using antennas in motion would not interfere with fixed backhaul. Verizon pressed the FCC to focus on updating rules for fixed wireless 5G backhaul and delay approval for antennas in motion until new interference studies are completed.
