General Atomics' scientific and technical capability enables the company to enter the revolution in telecommunications. This is the reason that the company's information technology is being brought to bear on a UAV-based communications system. He cites the Personal Handyphone System in Japan as an example of market potential. Similar policies are emerging in the European Community as well, he adds. Technology also is aiding explosive telecommunication growth through exponential bandwidth increases with infinite bandwidth anticipated to become available in less than a decade.
Personalized communications are free of landline infrastructure.
Extremely sophisticated, wireless technology also is economical, Pewitt states. At least two Predator UAVs would always be flying on station to ensure reliable connections. General Atomics officials believe that telecommunications is a natural extension of the company's strong physics and technology base, as competitive access providers begin to emerge, Pewitt says. The San Diego supercomputing center operated for the National Science Foundation by General Atomics and Sorrento Electronics, a General Atomics affiliate, also could play roles in this UAV- based system. The high capacity aerial vehicle wireless communications system's target market focuses on locations without established landline infrastructure, low population density areas and mobile users.