We previously reported on EE’s plans to deploy inflatable masts to provide mobile coverage for events, power outages and emergencies. New information now reveals more about the technology behind that capability.
EE’s airborne solution uses a Helikite—an inflatable, helium-filled kite—equipped with compact antennas that connect to a ground-based “network in a box” through 26 GHz millimetre-wave (mmWave) spectrum. Frequencies in this range are expected to play a role in 5G when standards are finalised, and EE says this is the first use of pre-5G mmWave technology of this kind in Europe.
This configuration delivers high-capacity, low-latency mobile connectivity tailored to the temporary and urgent scenarios where EE plans to deploy the portable mast. It supports services such as push-to-talk and can provide real-world download speeds around 65 Mbps.
“Looking ahead, I see innovations like this revolutionising the way people connect. We’re developing the concept of ‘coverage on demand,’” said EE CEO Marc Allera. “Imagine an event organiser requesting a temporary capacity boost in a rural location, or a climber ascending Ben Nevis ordering an aerial coverage solution that follows them as they climb.”
EE has been selected to deliver the UK’s Emergency Services Network (ESN) by 2019, which must offer reliable, mission-critical performance. Certain terrains, particularly hilly and mountainous regions, are notoriously difficult to cover and can impede emergency response efforts during disasters.
“Rural parts of the UK present greater challenges to mobile coverage than anywhere else, so we must work harder there—developing these technologies will ultimately help our customers, even in the most hard-to-reach areas,” Allera explained.
While the Helikite is powered by pre-5G mmWave technology today, its capabilities suggest potential life-saving applications as well as improved connectivity for large outdoor gatherings such as festivals. Temporary aerial masts can be rapidly deployed to restore or extend coverage where and when it’s needed.
Are you impressed by EE’s inflatable masts? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.