Sceye Unveils First-of-Its-Kind Stratospheric Telecom Antenna, SceyeCELL, to Bridge the Gap Between Ground Towers and Satellites

Sceye, an aerospace company with a background in material science leading the industry of high-altitude platform systems (HAPS), led by Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen and the team, has unveiled a first-of-its-kind custom-built antenna, SceyeCELL, designed to bring high-speed connectivity at scale from the stratosphere. 

Described as a “cell tower in the sky,” Sceye’s SceyeCELL combines satellite-grade precision with the flexibility of cellular networks, creating a new class of telecom infrastructure designed for wide-area coverage and long-duration operations.

Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen said Sceye’s SceyeCELL enables a new stratospheric infrastructure layer, providing persistent coverage during crises and expanding connectivity to hard-to-reach regions.

SceyeCELL is scheduled to fly this summer on Sceye’s first commercial test mission in partnership with SoftBank Corp.. The company’s HAPS will transit from New Mexico to Japan, where it will integrate with SoftBank’s core network to demonstrate expanded connectivity for emergency and disaster response scenarios.

What Makes SceyeCELL Different

Operating in the stratosphere, Sceye’s solar-and-battery-powered HAPS can remain over a region for weeks or months. Unlike ground-based or orbital telecom systems, SceyeCELL is purpose-built for long-duration operations above 60,000 feet, integrating advanced beamforming, motion compensation, and full cellular functionality into a single airborne platform.

Key capabilities include:

• Complete cellular network onboard: Core cellular systems are integrated into a lightweight architecture optimized for stratospheric weight, power, and thermal constraints.

• Flexible, wide-area coverage: Real-time 2D beamforming and motion compensation dynamically steer signals, enabling precise coverage far beyond traditional ground towers.

• Engineered for endurance: Components are built to operate in extreme near-space conditions, including temperatures down to −70°C, low pressure, high radiation, and severe thermal gradients.

Built for the 6G Era

As networks evolve toward 6G, Sceye’s SceyeCELL adds a persistent airborne layer that complements ground and satellite systems, enabling ubiquitous connectivity for autonomous and IoT-driven use cases.

With 20+ flights and backing from SoftBank Corp., América Móvil, and Mawarid Holding Company, Sceye is scaling HAPS commercialization while also partnering with NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey for real-time environmental monitoring.