The Rwandan government and SoftBank Corporation on September 24 reached a telecommunications milestone by testing SoftBank's advanced 5G communications technology in the stratosphere, it was announced at the opening of the Mobile World Congress (MWC Kigali) on October 17.

This pioneering test was conducted using a solar-powered High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) prototype. The demonstration, conducted in Rwandan airspace, marks the first-ever publicly announced delivery of 5G connectivity from a HAPS UAV in the stratosphere.

ALSO READ: Rwanda set to pilot 5G internet

What does this mean?

Let&039;s break this down in simpler terms. Imagine a high-flying drone equipped with 5G technology, soaring in the Earth's stratosphere (the second major layer of our planet's atmosphere). This drone is essentially a flying 5G hotspot, connecting people on the ground to the internet and other digital services. This is a significant development because it opens up new possibilities for extending high-speed internet access to remote areas and bridging the digital divide.

This test demonstrates the potential of 5G technology to provide high-speed internet access in previously hard-to-reach areas.

ALSO READ: Mobile World Congress Kigali set to accelerate digital innovation, enhance connectivity

The stratospheric drone, equipped with SoftBank's 5G technology, provided uninterrupted 5G connectivity for approximately 73 minutes at an altitude of 16.9 kilometres (about 10.5 miles). In simpler terms, it's like having a super-fast internet connection high up in the sky.

The technology was put to the test by conducting a 5G-based Zoom video call between a smartphone in Rwanda and SoftBank team members in Japan. The fact that a regular 5G smartphone was used highlights the technology's practicality and real-world applications.

This achievement stems from a partnership between SoftBank and the Rwandan government. They've been working together to explore how stratospheric technology can be used to provide internet connectivity and educational services in Rwanda, particularly in rural areas with limited connectivity.

What's next?

The success of this test is just the beginning. SoftBank and the Rwandan government plan to study potential use cases for this technology in Rwanda and other parts of Africa. One exciting possibility is the digitalization of schools and communities in remote areas that lack internet access. This could transform education and connectivity in these underserved regions.

Paula Ingabire, the Minister of ICT and Innovation of Rwanda, emphasized the importance of this test in narrowing the digital divide and enhancing digital inclusion.

"We’re establishing Rwanda as a premier global destination for pioneering visionary individuals from across the globe, where they can harness our supportive policies and regulatory flexibility to explore cutting-edge innovations that address development challenges. We extend our appreciation to SoftBank, our partner in this Joint Research Project, and look forward to furthering our partnership beyond the proof-of-concept phase,” Ingabire said.

Junichi Miyakawa, the President and CEO of SoftBank, said: "I am thrilled that our 5G payload performed in the stratosphere far beyond our expectations. This test marks an important step forward in our aim of bridging the digital divide with HAPS and other NTN solutions.

"We are grateful to the Government of Rwanda for their support and look forward to working with them to study use cases for commercial implementation.”