Filtronic plc, a designer and manufacturer of RF, microwave, and mmWave products for the wireless telecoms, mission-critical communications and defence applications markets, announced that it has joined the HAPS Alliance, a non-profit association dedicated to building a High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) ecosystem that brings digital connectivity to everyone, everywhere.

As a member of the HAPS Alliance, Filtronic will collaborate with world-leading telecommunications, technology, aviation and aerospace companies to accelerate commercial adoption, advocate for safety and regulatory standards, and help build a cooperative HAPS ecosystem. This cross-industry collaboration is designed to eliminate the ‘Digital Divide’, accelerating the development and adoption of HAPS technology, thus bringing better connectivity to areas globally not served by traditional telecoms infrastructure.

Filtronic has been a major mmWave technology provider to the HAPS industry for several years. Joining the HAPS alliance is an exciting opportunity to take Filtronic’s involvement to the next level, collaborating and innovating with other leading members.

“Our passion for innovation and connectivity is driving us to explore new markets,” said Richard Gibbs, CEO of Filtronic. “We recognize HAPS as a core element within the converging terrestrial and non-terrestrial telecoms ecosystem moving forward. We at Filtronic are excited to become a member and are enthusiastic about exploring the stratosphere as a viable solution to address the lack of broadband connectivity in developing countries.”

The HAPS Alliance members collaborate with other organizations to influence regulatory direction, while promoting the benefits of HAPS in the stratosphere. The HAPS Alliance working groups bring together industry leaders to develop product specifications and promote standardization in the following ways:

•    Telecom: Advocate for global harmonization of HAPS spectrum at ITU and national level; influence emerging commercial standards, including 3GPP non-terrestrial networks.
•    Aviation: Promote industry-managed cooperative separation in the upper airspace, including collaborative testing, simulations, and pilot programs.
•    Commercialization: Demonstrate the industry’s viability to potential customers and build a cooperative HAPS ecosystem.
•    Interoperability: Develop product specifications and promote the standardization of interoperable HAPS network elements.