HAPS Alliance Brings Stratospheric Innovation to Light at MWC 2024

With over 100,000 attendees and 2,700 exhibitors from 205 countries, this year’s MWC Barcelona was a resounding success. The HAPS Alliance was a part of the conversation, hosting a Power Hour panel on the economic potential of the stratosphere, as well as a member networking reception the day before the event.

HAPS Alliance and its Members Making a Mark at MWC

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During MWC, HAPS Alliance hosted a networking reception at the AALTO booth, where members networked with industry peers and built valuable connections.

HAPS Alliance members established a significant presence at MWC, with notable exhibitors such as AALTO, Capgemini, Deutsche Telekom, Ericsson, Gilat Satellite Networks, Intelsat, KDDI Corp., Nokia, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, NTT DOCOMO, TJ Innovation, and Tonomus showcasing their contributions.

HAPS Alliance Power Hour Panel Discussion 

Alongside GSMA Intelligence, HAPS Alliance member representatives from AALTO, Aerostar, Nokia Federal Solutions, and Stratospheric Platforms discussed the game-changing potential of HAPS solutions to connect the billions of unconnected people around the world cost-effectively. On Thursday, Feb. 29, the panel, “Unlocking the Economic Potential of the Stratosphere with HAPS,” enlightened attendees on the future of HAPS, educating attendees including representatives of telecom operators, satellite networks, terrestrial broadcast network operators and more.

We’re thankful for the expertise of our panelists:

  • Ken Riordan, President of the HAPS Alliance and Principal Architect, Nokia Federal Solutions
  • Russ Van Der Werff, Board Officer and Treasurer of the HAPS Alliance and Vice President of Stratospheric Solutions, Aerostar
  • Jeff Smith, Board Director of the HAPS Alliance and Head of Mobile Connectivity, EU and APAC, AALTO
  • Gregory Ewert, HAPS Alliance member and Chief Commercial Officer & Managing Director North America, Stratospheric Platforms, Ltd.
  • Tim Hatt, Head of Research and Consulting, GSMA Intelligence (moderator)

During this showcase, panelists shared the Alliance’s work to open up new service capabilities that mobile network operators (MNOs) can use to fill a capability gap between terrestrial networks and satellites 18 to 50 km above the Earth. They delved into the role of HAPS within the broader NTN (non-terrestrial network) framework, distinguishing HAPS from satellites, highlighting recent technical advancements, showcasing real-world applications of HAPS, and addressing the growing demand for HAPS among telecommunications operators. The panel ended with a lively Q&A session.

Watch the Alliance MWC Panel & Explore Alliance Resources

To delve deeper into the panel discussions, watch the HAPS Alliance MWC Panel and discussion on YouTube.

To keep you informed about our latest developments and resources, we recommend the following valuable links: