07.19.02
Wireless Future Magazine
July/August Issue
by Gerald Knoblach
Space Data Corporation
Expanding Your Wireless Horizons
Ask consumers to define good value in wireless communications service, and they will say, "Provide continuous, reliable coverage everywhere." In fact, research shows that two-thirds of U.S. subscribers are interested in changing carriers for better coverage. To meet the need for wireless coverage everywhere, Space Data is deploying an innovative system to provide wireless communications service in out-of-coverage areas. Space Data will provide this service to wireless carriers, thus enabling them to offer seamless, uninterrupted coverage to their subscribers in areas that are not economical to cover with antenna towers — areas that cover one-fifth of the U.S. population.
Combining low-cost, advanced microelectronics with small, expendable, biodegradable latex weather balloons, Space Data is creating a network of "SkySites" that will operate at approximately 100,000 feet above the earth's surface to:
- work cooperatively with terrestrial networks
- provide seamless, uninterrupted nationwide coverage
- operate with existing user equipment
Space Data's balloon-borne SkySites work in concert with current ground-based wireless systems and do not compete with towers or existing service providers. Our purpose is to fill in the coverage gaps, providing service to consumers that do not currently have wireless coverage. Space Data will add value to the service provided by wireless carriers for their customers who roam to outlying suburban and rural areas thus making it profitable for existing carriers to extend coverage to rural areas. Furthermore, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has formally approved the use of Space Data's balloon-based technology to provide wireless services.
Reliable Operations
Space Data's network uses a system that has proven reliable
for more than 60 years in the US. Although unique and innovative
for the telecom industry, Space Data's approach draws on
a longstanding practice of gathering upper-air information
to feed into the meteorological computer models. In conjunction
with governments and weather service agencies, nearly 1,000
sites around the world have launched weather balloons twice
a day for more than half a century. These balloon launches
are performed reliably on a coordinated basis in all weather
conditions. Space Data has entered into discussions with
the National Weather Service in the United States to develop
a cooperative launch system where one balloon provides
the lifting support for both the NWS radiosonde and the
Space Data SkySite.
The Space Data microelectronics technology is sophisticated but the system concept is simple. Space Data supplies the balloons and the GPS data to the National Weather Service. The NWS launches the Space Data SkySite and the NWS weather radiosonde from the existing NWS launch sites in the continental U.S. NWS will collect its upper-air data just as it does now. When the SkySite reaches 100,000 feet, the NWS data collection ends, and the Space Data wireless operations begin. At each launch site, a Space Data ground terminal relays communications and control data between the SkySites and Space Data's Network Operations Center. The NOC will coordinate communications and control of the SkySites, operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
After reaching 100,000 feet, SkySites provide wireless communications services for approximately 12 to 24 hours and are then replaced. A new "constellation" of SkySites is launched every 12 hours. The balloons are approximately 5 feet in diameter when launched. SkySites weigh considerably less than six pounds and pose no threat to aircraft safety; therefore, the Federal Aviation Administration allows them to be launched without restriction in domestic airspace.
Cost-Effective Technology
Approximately 80% of the U.S. population lives in less than
10% of the landmass. A terrestrial wireless tower covers
a small, fixed geographic area, so it is too expensive
to use towers to cover the sparsest 20% of the population.
Hundreds of times higher than an average tower, but 10
times closer than the lowest satellite, Space Data's SkySites
can economically cover that 20% of the population in a
manner that is transparent to the end user and leverages
both the technology and product development of the terrestrial
systems. Wireless services can be marketed to more people,
and urban users can increase their usage as they roam into
rural areas.
Balloons are inexpensive, require only one person to launch, are prepared for launch in minutes, and do not require complex launch facilities. The Space Data network is extremely flexible, fast to deploy, and can be scaled to meet the expected demand. SkySites cover a 360-mile-diameter area and can be rolled out region by region.
Timetable
Space Data will begin deployment in 2003. Initially, Space
Data's network will support wireless e-mail, advanced messaging,
telemetry, asset tracking and wireless data services. However,
the technology is compatible with most wireless communications
systems. Space Data has already begun development efforts
to rapidly move into the wireless voice market.
The company will deploy its system internationally following the successful launch of service in the U.S. The international opportunity is tremendous because a large percentage of the world's population does not have any wireless service or they have poor communications infrastructure.
Making Wireless Work Better
Unlike many new technologies, Space Data's system works with
existing communications devices, carriers, brands, distribution
channels, and service plans. Space Data is simply offering
these services to unserved areas, which makes some of the
most popular products in the world work better. In providing
uninterrupted nationwide wireless coverage, Space Data
helps broaden the wireless subscriber base and meet consumers'
needs for continuous, reliable coverage everywhere.