Planning of UMTS Networks Containing Stratospheric Platforms

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has endorsed High Altitude Platforms (HAPs) as an alternative means of providing UMTS wireless services. The utilisation of HAPs (High Altitude Platforms) in the access part of the upcoming UMTS networks can provide great flexibility to UMTS from the viewpoint of service provisions and fast infrastructure installation. Moreover, they offer these advantages at a significantly lower cost than that of satellites, This paper addresses problems and issues related to planning UMTS networks containing stratospheric platforms. We identify relevant characteristics of HAPs and propose architectures for the integration of HAPs into UMTS networks based on these characteristics. The possible set of network functions to be deployed onboard is also discussed. These properties are represented with appropriate cost and reliability models and a planning process is detailed that could be applied for predicting overall costs and thus for evaluating different architecture options. In this paper we present a solution approach pursued in the HeliNet project of the Fifth Framework Programme of the EU.