Stratospheric Platforms’ airborne 5G mast cuts CO2 use by up to 30%

A new report has identified that Granta Park-based Stratospheric Platforms’ hydrogen-powered airborne 5G masts could save 0.45 million tons of CO2 annually when compared with ground-based options.

The decarbonisation study by leading telecoms research and consulting firm, STL Partners, assesses the potential impact on mobile network energy use and emissions of using High Altitude Platforms (HAP) to beam 5G to mobile users.

A potential reduction of between 10 per cent and 30 per cent of the cell-site energy in the UK is achievable, says London-based STL, via two major savings:

- Savings from cell sites not built. An estimated 4,600 rural cell sites that would not need to be built according to operators’ coverage plans.

- Savings from decommissioned cell sites. Between 4,100 and 8,300 cell sites could be decommissioned by 2035, as a result of new coverage from Stratomast HAP.

STL consulting director Philip Laidler said: “This research brings new insights for both the telecoms and aerospace industries.

“The study shows the potentially positive environmental impact of Stratospheric Platforms’ HAP on existing mobile networks in a densely-populated, advanced market such as the UK.

“The findings will be even more compelling in other markets and HAPs should be considered an option for accelerating the industry’s journey to net-zero, globally.”

Stratospheric Platforms launched in 2016 to address wide-area 5G technological challenges. Backed by Deutsche Telekom, it has developed a high-altitude, hydrogen-powered aircraft – a HAP – which can provide uninterrupted 5G connectivity direct to consumer smart phones for areas up to 70km from the aircraft and, at the same time, direct broadband connectivity to properties.

Each Stratomast HAP carries a large high-power telecommunications system capable of covering up to 15,000km. The aircraft and payload are powered by a zero-emissions system using sustainable hydrogen.

Richard Deakin, CEO Stratospheric Platforms, said: “Research published today [December 16] sets out a compelling case for telecom operators and governments to use high-altitude aero platforms as a key component in their decarbonisation goals.”

He added: “Stratospheric Platforms offers the only airborne hydrogen-powered telecoms platform capable of full flight control and a loiter time of up to six days.

“As consumers consider the benefits of 5G and soon 6G, they will quickly come to terms with the environmental and societal impact of masts being built as close as 500 metres apart and this is where our HAP provides the only sustainable alternative.”

Savings of 0.45 million tons of CO2 could be achieved every year using 5G aircraft compared to current options – the equivalent of taking 225,000 fossil fuel cars off the road each year. A net saving of 4.5m MWh of energy could be achieved in the UK by 2035 compared with terrestrial networks.

The study used the UK to model the decarbonisation benefits. Similar studies will report on benefits for the US and Japanese markets in 2022.