SoftBank Commits to Stratospheric Connectivity Fleet
"This is not a competition between the stratospheric layer or the LEO layer…both layers are required to make sure that nobody is left behind," Sceye founder and CEO Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen told Payload. To bridge this gap, Sceye and SoftBank have signed a five-year master services agreement to manufacture, launch, and operate a fleet of high-altitude platform systems (HAPS) across Japan.
The project moves Sceye’s technology from experimental demonstrations into commercial service. SoftBank plans to integrate these stratospheric platforms into its broader "Ubiquitous Network" strategy, which aims to create a three-dimensional communications architecture combining terrestrial towers, aerial platforms, and satellite networks, according to IoT Business News.
Sceye Retains Control While SoftBank Buys Connectivity Services
The five-year agreement targets a fleet of at least 40 units, according to Vestergaard Frandsen. Sceye will retain ownership and operational control of the platforms, selling connectivity services directly to SoftBank.
Exclusive: Sceye Signs Deal to Fly HAPS Fleet for SoftBank https://t.co/rpokk17S8t
While satellites often face launch-vehicle delays, Sceye’s lighter-than-air platforms rely on lifting gas to reach their 20-kilometer cruising altitude in under 30 minutes, Payload reported. This independence from rocket schedules offers a strategic advantage for operators concerned about launch capacity crunches. The current fleet design includes two primary functions: providing mobile broadband to standard devices and forming a free-space optical (FSO) laser network to manage high-speed data links within the stratosphere.
Testing Performance During Service Test 1
The commercial agreement follows the successful completion of the Service Test 1 mission in September. During this 30-day operation, a Sceye platform launched from New Mexico, traveled to Japan under satellite-based control, and spent one week operating over Shikoku Island.
The test confirmed that the platform could deliver text, voice, and video streaming directly to standard mobile phones, even indoors. Sceye also conducted the first demonstration of stratospheric laser ranging, which involved tracking an aircraft from the ground as it moved through the atmosphere.
Scaling Operations Beyond Current Records
Despite these successes, technical hurdles remain before the fleet reaches full maturity. Sceye’s current flight record stands at 30 days, and the company is working to improve vehicle longevity. Vestergaard Frandsen noted that the goal is to keep individual platforms in the sky for six months or more.
@SoftBank @sceyeofficial SOFTBANK CORP JUST ORDERED A SKY NETWORK OVER JAPAN. SoftBank Corp signed a five-year deal with Sceye to build and fly a fleet of high-altitude platforms over Japan. At least 40 platforms. Commercial service aimed at 2027. What they do: float in the… pic.twitter.com/lB81g24Qjh
Currently, recovered platforms are broken down for testing and inspection, resulting in a turnaround time measured in months. The company aims to reduce this maintenance cycle to weeks. SoftBank’s commitment to the project follows a $15 million investment in Sceye’s Series C funding round in 2025, a decision made after the startup demonstrated its ability to maintain altitude through the night using solar power to recharge its batteries, according to Payload.
Common Questions Regarding Stratospheric Networks
How does a stratospheric platform differ from a satellite?
Sceye’s platforms operate at an altitude of approximately 20 kilometers, which is roughly 1,800 times closer to Earth than geostationary satellites. This proximity allows for lower latency and the ability to serve standard mobile phones directly without specialized hardware.
What is the status of the FSO laser network? A subset of the 40-unit fleet is dedicated to establishing a free-space optical network.
No, SoftBank and Sceye describe the HAPS fleet as a complementary layer. The technology is designed to fill coverage gaps in rural or mountainous regions and provide resilient connectivity during natural disasters where terrestrial infrastructure may be compromised.