Regulatory challenges of broadband communication services from High Altitude Platforms (HAPs)

HAPs may act as floating base stations which deliver broadband communications from 20–50 km above the ground, positioned between satellite and terrestrial platforms. Since 2012, new HAPs projects have been launched, marking the resurgence of the technology. This paper aims to address challenges by existing regulations related to HAPs operation. It shows that existing global HAPs identification could not meet HAPs broadband market requirements. Since HAPs platform resides within national sovereignty, HAPs operation shall be strictly regulated by first, reclassify a HAPs-based-unmanned free balloon as UAV. Second, by adopting existing UAV regulations related to privacy and safety aspects with additional weight and altitude criteria. Furthermore, the new rules shall impose security clauses.