C2I 2024 Information, Data & Connectivity winner: Project Skymast

Category: Information, Data & Connectivity

Project: Project Skymast

Partners: Stratospheric Platforms Ltd with BT, Cambridge Consultants, Britten-Norman, Marshall

In the ever-evolving world of telecommunications, the pursuit of seamless, high-speed connectivity continues to drive innovation.

Stratospheric Platforms Ltd (SPL), an early-stage company at the forefront of technological advancement, is transforming mobile data services through its phased-array telecoms antenna, leading to the development of Project Skymast and, ultimately, the Stratomast high-altitude platform (HAP). These innovations promise to bridge connectivity gaps, offering solutions for eliminating white spots, emergency response, rural communications, and large-scale events.

Neil Taylor, a business systems analyst at SPL, said: “Our phased-array technology started as a vision to bridge connectivity gaps, and now, with Project Skymast, we’re demonstrating how it can deliver real-world solutions.”

At the heart of SPL’s innovation is its modular phased-array telecoms antenna. Designed to be scalable, the modular nature of the antenna means that smaller, highly capable arrays can be tested before reaching full commercial deployment.

During 2023, SPL collaborated with Cambridge Consultants and BT to successfully trial these subscale arrays at BT’s R&D headquarters in Adastral Park, Suffolk. This marked a significant milestone, proving the viability of the technology on the ground.

“This partnership was critical in validating our phased-array antenna, ensuring it could deliver high-speed data transmission seamlessly,” said Taylor.

The next step was to test this antenna in the air, and Project Skymast was born.

Project Skymast represents a pivotal moment in SPL’s mission to provide high-speed mobile connectivity and complement terrestrial networks.

To achieve this, SPL partnered with Britten-Norman to integrate the phased-array antenna onto its BN2T-4S Islander aircraft. Operating at an altitude of 22,000 feet (6,700m), Skymast can cover a 750km² area, creating two mobile cells capable of serving 2,500 users with connectivity speeds of up to 120Mbps.

The BN2T-4S Islander was chosen because of a combination of payload capacity, endurance, climb performance, twin engine reliability, robustness and electrical power generation that made it ideal for the Project Skymast mission.

Beyond technical feasibility, environmental challenges needed to be addressed. The prototype telecoms array required protection from extreme moisture and temperature conditions at altitude. For this, SPL teamed up with Marshall, whose expertise in aero engineering ensured the antenna’s durability in flight.

“With Skymast, we’re proving that high-speed, high-capacity connectivity isn’t limited to urban areas,” said Taylor. “From disaster recovery efforts to supporting large events, this system provides on-demand connectivity precisely when and where it’s needed.”

Testing for Skymast is already well underway, with design reviews completed and an aerodynamic flight trial completed in July 2024. Following this, full-scale telecommunications trials at BT’s R&D headquarters are set for 2025.

While Project Skymast promises to be a game-changer, it is a stepping stone toward Stratomast, an even more ambitious goal.

With a 56m wingspan - matching that of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, but at just two per cent of its weight – the uncrewed, hydrogen-powered High Altitude Platform (HAP) is designed to operate at 60,000 feet. Carrying 32  phased-array panels, it will provide connectivity over a staggering 15,000 km² area. With a data capacity exceeding 100Gbps, a single Stratomast HAP can support up to half a million simultaneous voice and video calls.

“This is where the true potential of our technology shines,” said Taylor. “A network of just 24 Stratomast HAPs could provide seamless nationwide coverage in the UK, eliminating rural connectivity challenges while reducing reliance on costly ground infrastructure.”

Moreover, Stratomast’s reliance on green hydrogen aligns with global sustainability goals. According to independent analysis by STL Partners, the adoption of Stratomast technology could reduce rural mobile service emissions by 95 per cent by 2035, saving over 4.5 million MWh of energy.

“By using clean energy and avoiding the environmental impact of building vast networks of terrestrial towers, we’re enabling a greener, more cost-effective future for mobile connectivity,” said Taylor.

A project of this magnitude required collaboration across multiple industries. Cambridge Consultants played a pivotal role in developing the  phased-array antenna. BT, recognising the potential of Stratomast, has provided vital R&D support, integrating SPL’s technology into its core network for seamless terrestrial handover. Britten-Norman’s Islander aircraft serves as the ideal platform for testing, while Marshall’s expertise ensures the telecoms array withstands harsh airborne conditions.

“None of this would be possible without our partners,” said Taylor. “We’ve built an ecosystem of innovation that accelerates our ability to deliver transformative solutions.”

The implications of SPL’s advancements could be profound. Project Skymast will offer unparalleled flexibility for emergency response teams, disaster relief, and large-scale event connectivity. With setup costs in the thousands rather than millions, Skymast is a cost-effective alternative to existing infrastructure-based solutions.

Meanwhile, Stratomast holds the promise of transforming rural connectivity on a global scale. By drastically reducing capital and operational expenses for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), it makes high-speed mobile data viable in previously underserved areas. This, in turn, unlocks economic opportunities in digital agriculture, autonomous vehicles, and beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) drone operations.

“Stratomast doesn’t just expand coverage—it expands possibilities,” said Taylor. “By providing affordable, sustainable, high-capacity mobile data, we’re enabling a more connected world.”

From the early trials of SPL’s  phased-array antenna to the groundbreaking potential of Stratomast, Project Skymast represents a crucial leap forward in telecommunications. With proven real-world applications, successful partnerships, and an eye toward sustainability, SPL could be on the brink of transforming global connectivity.

As Taylor aptly summarised: “We’re not just building technology; we’re shaping the future of connectivity - one innovation at a time.”

Beyond rural connectivity, Skymast and Stratomast have potential applications in maritime, and space communications. The ability to provide consistent, secure, high-bandwidth coverage over vast areas makes these platforms ideal for a range of operations.

As demand for high-speed, low-latency data continues to grow, the combination of HAPs and satellite constellations could provide an unprecedented level of global connectivity.

“We are at the beginning of a new era in telecommunications,” said Taylor. “Our work with Project Skymast and Stratomast lays the foundation for a truly connected future.”