So.
About THAT 5G network technology that was an actual conspiracy theory as the force behind Coronavirus in 2020.
5G is still crap in Africa, with only a penetration of 1,2 percent of the total population at best – and that one percent might only be found in South Africa (which had over 50 percent of its population coverage by late 2024), Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.
And to be fair, it is still only at 20 percent in the rest of the world: and already the smart people in telecommunications are ready to ditch it for the next phenomenon.
6 effing G. It is going to be ready for commercial distribution by 2030, they say – and a drone company wants to be part of the revolution.
High altitude drone maker HAPS Alliance has released a white paper outlining the transformative role of High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) within the emerging 6G ecosystem.
“Positioned in the stratosphere (approx. 20 km altitude), HAPS serves as a critical bridge between terrestrial networks and satellites, creating a seamless, multi-layered architecture designed to achieve the “beyond-connectivity” goals of IMT-2030,” the company says.
“When extended by high altitude platform stations (HAPS) and other non-terrestrial networks (NTN), the benefits will be scaled up to an unprecedented degree.”
Titled 6G from the Stratosphere: The Role of HAPS in Key Use Cases, the paper outlines how the integration of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), encompassing satellites, High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS), and Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) will enable the ubiquitous connectivity of 6G networks.
“Among these, HAPS is emerging as a critical component of the multi-layered 6G infrastructure, offering a flexible and rapidly deployable stratospheric layer that bridges terrestrial and satellite systems. HAPS is being positioned to contribute to the massive technical and operational shift in and implementation of 6G networks.
“By integrating HAPS with satellite and aerial systems as non-terrestrial infrastructure, this emerging hybrid or multi-layered network will ensure resilience and flexibility in the access layer. Moreover, AI-driven autonomy will enable the network to self-heal, adapt, and recover, significantly improving resilience and reliability. The technical and operational flexibility of HAPS will be essential in achieving the high reliability of the 6G access network infrastructure.
“The complementary role of HAPS in the NTN configuration, and by extension, the entire 6G connectivity fabric, is a dominant use case and a unique value proposition for the technology.”
HAPS’ vision extends well beyond faster broadband. It anticipates ultra-low latency, massive Internet of Things (IoT) deployments, AI-enabled automation, and strict KPIs for reliability, capacity, and energy efficiency. Delivering that level of performance consistently — and globally — requires a new architectural model.
The whitepaper outlines a multi-layer network composed of:
- Surface layer – Terrestrial networks providing high-capacity coverage where ground infrastructure exists.
- Stratospheric layer – HAPS positioned around 20 kilometers above Earth, each covering roughly 50–100 kilometers.
- Space layer – Satellite systems extending connectivity to oceans, deserts, and airspace.
HAPS says its position is in the middle layer, where its task will be bridging terrestrial and satellite systems. Because it operates closer to Earth than satellites, it can offer lower end-to-end latency for certain applications while maintaining wide-area coverage.
With regenerative payloads (on-platform signal processing), beamformed radio (directed signal transmission), and onboard computing, HAPS platforms function as programmable network nodes, the company claims.
This enables local breakout, dynamic capacity allocation, and improved resilience across the access network.
The paper also explores how this architecture supports priority 6G scenarios, including:
- Direct-to-unmodified smartphone (D2US) connectivity without device changes.
- Rapid disaster recovery through temporary stratospheric deployment.
- Vehicular connectivity, including cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X).
- Public safety and infrastructure monitoring through integrated sensing and communication.
- Shared networks and neutral-host models supporting multiple operators.
Across these use cases, HAPS enhances continuity, expands reach, and strengthens reliability while operating in coordination with terrestrial and satellite layers.
“The result is a coherent framework for a truly ubiquitous 6G network — one that integrates surface, stratospheric, and space assets into a unified, resilient system. As the paper makes clear, achieving a truly ubiquitous 6G society will depend on this integrated architecture rather than any single layer alone.
“The whitepaper ultimately positions HAPS as a central component of the 6G access network. Its wide-area coverage, relatively low latency, programmability, and neutral-host capabilities enable it to complement both terrestrial and satellite systems.”