A little known Irish company is attempting to breathe life back into the moribund concept of high altitude platform stations (HAPS) in the stratosphere to provide network connectivity to users. The latest wheeze is to provide service courtesy of some antiquated Russian-designed military aircraft.

Qucomhaps claims to have raised US$355 million to launch the service above Malaysia using aircraft that will circle the coverage area and provide wireless transmission to end users on behalf of service providers.  It says it will trial the concept in Malaysia next March. 

The company has made waves in the Malaysian media this week with claims that it will set up a national network offering data speeds of 512kbps.  Qucomhaps says it will deploy aircraft “hovering or patrolling” at the stratospheric level – 20 kilometres from the ground – to provide “instantaneous, nationwide broadband connectivity at cost levels significantly lower than anything commercially available today.” Read more.