IP: FCC approves weather-balloon wireless technology

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> > From: "Janos Gereben" <janos451 () earthlink net>
> >
> > FCC approves weather-balloon wireless technology
> > Janos Gereben - www.the451.com
> >
> > {Space Data now has the financing, spectrum and US license to fill in
> > holes left by terrestrial networks.]
> >
> > San Francisco - Greeted by wireless-sector developers as an important
> > regulatory step for a new kind of service, the US Federal
> > Communications Commission this week approved Space Data Corporation's
> > application for its SkySites technology.
> >
> > Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Space Data is now moving ahead to provide
> > wireless services in remote US locations through the SkySites weather
> > balloons equipped with inexpensive communications electronics. The
> > first operating portion of the system is expected to be in place
> > within a year. Space Data has just completed a round of additional
> > financing, and the $3m it received brings the company's total
> > financing to $9m.
> >
> > Space Data needed the FCC action to make use of its nationwide
> > spectrum license, acquired earlier this year. The technology was
> > previously demonstrated by sending wireless email via a SkySite at
> > 100,000 feet over Arizona to advanced messaging devices at the
> > company's office in Chandler, Arizona.
> >
> > Cofounder and CEO Jerry Knoblach said Space Data plans to fill in the
> > coverage gaps for wireless customers in rural and outlying suburban
> > areas, eventually operating seamlessly with existing wireless devices
> > and service providers "at a cost per user comparable to urban towers."
> >
> > Weather balloons have been used for some five decades as tools of
> > global meteorology. Scientists have been collecting climate data from
> > many locations by sending biodegradable latex weather balloons on a
> > 20-mile ascent into the stratosphere. Working with the National
> > Weather Service, Space Data is making arrangements for upper-air
> > operations in the US, and it is seeking similar arrangements
> > internationally.
> >
> > The system consists of a network of wireless repeaters operating at
> > that 20-mile level above the Earth's surface to provide service,
> > especially to the estimated 20% of US territory that cannot be reached
> > by tower-based broadcast. The advantage of SkySite over a satellite
> > system is its significantly lower start-up and maintenance costs.



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