Joint Press Release—for immediate release
Airbus, NTT, DOCOMO and SKY Perfect JSAT Jointly Studying Connectivity
Services from High-Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS)— Targeting future global wireless-connectivity services combining satellites and HAPS —TOKYO, JAPAN, January 17, 2022—Airbus, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone
Corporation (NTT), NTT DOCOMO, INC. (DOCOMO) and SKY Perfect JSAT
Corporation (SKY Perfect JSAT) jointly announced that they have begun studying thefeasibility of collaborating on future high-altitude platform stations (HAPS)-based
connectivity services as part of a future space-based wireless connectivity ecosystem.
Launched with a memorandum of understanding (MOU), the study will attempt toidentify the early deployment requirements of a HAPS-based network. The collaboration
will investigate the use of the Airbus Zephyr, the leading solar-powered, stratosphericunmanned aerial system (UAS), and the wireless communication networks of NTT,DOCOMO and SKY Perfect JSAT in order to test HAPS connectivity, identify practicalapplications, develop required technologies and ultimately launch space-based wirelessbroadband services.

Fig. 1 Airbus "Zephyr" HAPS aircraft
In the global push to further advance 5G and eventually introduce 6G, initiatives are under
way to expand coverage worldwide, including in the oceans and in the air. Such initiatives
will include HAPS, which fly in the stratosphere about 20 km above the earth, and nonterrestrial network (NTN) technologies using geostationary-orbit (GEO) satellites andlow Earth-orbit (LEO) satellites. HAPS networks are deemed to be a relatively easysolution for air and sea connectivity and an effective platform for deploying disastercountermeasures and many industrial applications. The provision of space-based radio
access network services using NTN technologies, collectively called Space RAN (radioaccess network), is expected to support worldwide mobile communications with ultrawide coverage and improved disaster resistance as well enhanced 5G and 6G. In addition,
HAPS platforms can also interconnect to the nearest terrestrial network gateway andextend the reach of existing mobile services directly to end-user devices, providing
service options including as rural, emergency and maritime connectivity.

Fig. 2 Communication via satellites and HAPS

Fig. 3 Configuration of space integrated computing network

Fig. 4 Space RAN system structureWith the signing of the MOU, the four companies will discuss and identify possible future
developments necessary to unlock future HAPS-based connectivity services, lobby forstandardization and institutionalization of HAPS operations, and explore business models
for commercializing HAPS services.
Specific themes will include the applicability of HAPS for mobile connectivity on theground and base station backhaul,1 the performance of various frequency bands in HAPS
systems, the technological considerations for linking HAPS with satellites and groundbase stations, and the establishment of a cooperative system to test a network combining
NTN technology, satellites and HAPS.
As separately announced on November 15, 2021, DOCOMO and Airbus have successfully
conducted a propagation test between the ground and a “Zephyr S” HAPS aircraft in thestratosphere, demonstrating the possibility of providing stable communication with sucha configuration.
1Base station backhaul refers to a fixed line that supports high-speed, high-capacity information transmission between a large
number of wireless base stations in a mobile communications network and the core network.

Related Releases
 May 20, 2021: NTT and SKY Perfect JSAT conclude collaboration agreement on new spaceenterprise to aid realization of a sustainable society
https://group.ntt/en/newsrelease/2021/05/20/210520a.html
 November 15, 2021: Zephyr High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) achieves connectivity
in trial conducted by Airbus and NTT DOCOMO
https://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/english/info/media_center/pr/2021/1115_00.html
For further information, please contact:
Airbus Defence and Space
Pablo Correa
Tel: +34 689 669 602
E-mail: pablo.correa@airbus.com

NTTPR OfficeE-mail: ntt-pr@ntt.com
https://www.global.ntt/
NTT DOCOMO
Mr. Takuya Ori or Mr. Akira Takayama
Public Relations Department
Tel: +81 (0)3 5156 1366
Fax: +81 (0)3 5501 3408
www.nttdocomo.co.jp/english
SKY Perfect JSAT
Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Division
Tel: +81 3 5571 7600
E-mail: pr@sptvjsat.com
https://www.skyperfectjsat.space/en/
About Airbus
Airbus pioneers sustainable aerospace for a safe and united world. The Company constantly
innovates to provide efficient and technologically-advanced solutions in aerospace, defence, andconnected services. In commercial aircraft, Airbus offers modern and fuel-efficient airliners andassociated services. Airbus is also a European leader in defence and security and one of the world's
leading space businesses. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and militaryrotorcraft solutions and services worldwide.
About NTT
NTT believes in resolving social issues through our business operations by applying technology
for good. We help clients accelerate growth and innovate for current and new business models.
Our services include digital business consulting, technology and managed services forcybersecurity, applications, workplace, cloud, data center and networks all supported by ourdeep industry expertise and innovation. As a top 5 global technology and business solutions
provider, our diverse teams operate in 80+ countries and regions and deliver services to over
190 of them. We serve over 80% of Fortune Global 100 companies and thousands of otherclients and communities around the world. For more information on NTT, visit www.global.ntt/.
About NTT DOCOMONTT DOCOMO, Japan's leading mobile operator with over 83 million subscriptions, is one of theworld's foremost contributors to 3G, 4G and 5G mobile network technologies. Beyond corecommunications services, DOCOMO is challenging new frontiers in collaboration with a growing
number of entities ("+d" partners), creating exciting and convenient value-added services thatchange the way people live and work. Under a medium-term plan toward 2020 and beyond,
DOCOMO is pioneering a leading-edge 5G network to facilitate innovative services that will
amaze and inspire customers beyond their expectations.
https://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/english/.
About SKY Perfect JSATSKY Perfect JSAT Corporation is a leader in the converging fields of broadcasting andcommunications. It is Asia’s largest satellite operator with a fleet of 16 satellites, and Japan’s only
provider of both multi-channel pay-TV broadcasting and satellite communications services. SKY
Perfect JSAT delivers wide range of entertainment through “SKY PerfecTV!”, the most extensive
broadcasting platform in Japan with a total of 3 million subscribers. In addition, SKY Perfect JSAT’s
satellite communications services, which cover Asia, Russia, Middle East, Oceania, North America
and Indian Ocean to Pacific Ocean regions, play a vital role in supporting communications
infrastructures for mobile backhaul, government, aviation, maritime, oil & gas and disaster recovery.
For more information, visit our corporate website (https://www.skyperfectjsat.space/en/) and SpaceBusiness website (https://www.skyperfectjsat.space/jsat/en/).