Airspan Secures £2.3M UK Grant to Develop AI-Powered HAPS Network Simulator
Event summary
- Airspan received £2.3M from UK's ARIA to develop Strato-Twin, an AI-enabled digital twin for HAPS communications networks.
- Strato-Twin will simulate and optimize HAPS aircraft, payloads, atmospheric conditions, and ground infrastructure for 4G/5G/6G networks.
- The platform evaluates technical performance and network economics, including cost-per-user and neutral-host wholesale models.
- Airspan will collaborate with HAPS developers, mobile operators, and other EndAP participants to refine the model.
- Strato-Twin builds on Airspan's existing Air-to-Ground (ATG) technology deployed with Gogo for inflight connectivity.
The big picture
Airspan's Strato-Twin development reflects the growing industry focus on stratospheric communications as an alternative to satellite networks. The £2.3M ARIA grant underscores the UK's strategic investment in high-altitude platform technology, positioning the country as a potential leader in this emerging sector. This initiative could reshape mobile network economics by offering cost-effective coverage solutions for rural and underserved areas.
What we're watching
- Technical Validation
- How Strato-Twin's simulation accuracy will translate to real-world HAPS deployment success.
- Market Positioning
- Whether Airspan can leverage this technology to compete with satellite-based direct-to-device services.
- Regulatory Influence
- The pace at which UK government funding accelerates commercialization of HAPS technology.
Related topics