IT Blog

TOKYO (Reuters) – Alphabet and SoftBank’s attempts to launch flying cellphone antennas high into the atmosphere have received backing from global telcos, energizing lobbying efforts aimed at driving regulatory approval for the emerging technology.

Loon, which was spun out of Google parent Alphabet Inc’s (GOOGL.O) business incubator, and HAPSMobile, a unit of SoftBank Group Corp’s (9984.T) domestic telco, plan to deliver high speed internet to remote areas by flying network equipment at high altitudes.

Lobbying efforts by the two firms, which formed an alliance last year, are being joined by companies including aerospace firm Airbus (AIR.PA), network vendors Nokia (NOKIA.HE) and Ericsson (ERICb.ST) and telcos China Telecom (0728.HK), Deutsche Telekom (DTEGn.DE), Telefonica (TEF.MC) and Bharti Airtel (BRTI.NS).

The…