Space Data Expands Wireless Coverage With Weather Balloons

📅 September 17, 2001 - Space Data Corporation (spacedata.net) recentlyaccomplished several major milestones in its mission to provide wirelesscommunication services in remote, rural, and outlying suburban areas. Thecompany's system, which combines communications electronics with weatherballoons, is an innovative solution for offering wireless service inout-of-coverage areas.

This week, the FCC formally approved Space Data's balloon-based technology,a ruling that removed the final hurdle in the purchase and use of anationwide spectrum license that Space Data acquired earlier this year. Inaddition to these regulatory and licensing milestones, the Space Data teamsuccessfully demonstrated its system concept by sending wireless e-mail viaa SkySite at 100,000 feet over Arizona skies to advanced messaging devicesat the company's headquarters in Chandler, Arizona.
After working quietly for more than three years, Space Data will present itstechnology at the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet AssociationWireless I.T. & Internet 2001 show in San Diego.
"We have developed a cost-effective solution for filling in the coveragegaps for wireless customers in rural and outlying suburban areas," saidJerry Knoblach, CEO and co-founder of Space Data. "Our vision is to operateas a carrier for existing wireless carriers, which means that our systemprovides wireless coverage but is transparent to the user."
The system will work seamlessly with existing wireless devices and serviceproviders at a cost per user comparable to urban towers. For more than halfa century, weather balloons have been the foundation of global meteorology.During a 20-mile ascent into the stratosphere, biodegradable latex weatherballoons collect critical climate data unavailable from satellites. Everypart of the United States and much of the world's landmass is in range of aweather balloon.
Space Data says its communications electronics attached to these balloonsare lightweight, efficient, and reliable. The company is working with theNational Weather Service to attain agreements to operate its communicationssystem in cooperation with the National Weather Service upper-airoperations. Space Data will seek similar arrangements internationally.
Eric Frische, co-founder and CTO, said, "We've assembled a great team oftalented professionals with expertise in the areas of wireless technology,flight operations, meteorology, marketing, and finance." Knoblach added,"Our team has accomplished a phenomenal amount over the past year. We'veconducted flight and bench tests, validated the technology, and have beensuccessful in raising capital through private placement offerings."
The company recently completed its latest round of financing with theaddition of $3 million in private placement funding, which brings the totalfinancing to over $9 million to date. "Even in this tough economic climate,investors have seen the value of Space Data's service and technology," saidKnoblach.
The company, which has filed for patents to protect intellectual property,has completed the groundwork and is arranging institutional financing todeploy its network within a year.