Airbus subsidiary to begin aircraft 5G service in Japan by 2026

BARCELONA, Spain -- Airbus subsidiary AALTO says Japan will be one of the first countries where the company will provide 5G connectivity and Earth observation via specially designed aircraft when it launches commercial services in early 2026.

AALTO's high-altitude platform station (HAPS) uses telecom equipment mounted on aircraft to provide communication services. These craft fly at altitudes of 60,000 to 80,000 feet, higher than regulated airspace and weather phenomena but lower than low Earth orbit satellites. The aircraft are intended to serve as an alternative to ground-based and satellite networks.