Sanswire, a subsidiary of GlobeTel Communications Corp. is now positioned to advance the 2A to its next phase of testing, which includes untethered flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base.
The test commenced at approximately 8:00 a.m. Pacific time yesterday under mostly clear skies with winds out of the south at approximately 3 mph, providing ideal testing conditions. The airship contained GlobeTel's proprietary HotZone 4010 technology, with Wi-Fi, WiMax and VoIP over DECT capabilities within one unit. The HotZone provided wireless broadband coverage for the invited guests, who also tested the system by using a DECT standard cordless phone to place calls that were routed through GlobeTel's StrateVoIP voice over IP platform. In addition to providing internet access and telephone service, the Sanswire 2A provided a real-time video surveillance feed from a remote control camera attached to the airship.
This convergence of GlobeTel technologies demonstrates the effectiveness of delivering communications via the processes the Company had all along envisioned.
"I'm extremely proud of the work of our team," said Sanswire President Doug Murch. "Their dedication has put us at the forefront of using airships as communications platforms."
"This is truly a landmark day for Sanswire and GlobeTel," announced Peter Khoury, CEO of GlobeTel Communications. "We've confirmed to prospective partners, potential customers, our shareholders and ourselves that the Stratellite concept of integration is achievable. The data collected via this test will now be evaluated by the Sanswire engineers to determine a schedule for moving ahead toward flight. Doug Murch and the entire Sanswire team brought innovation and dedication one step closer to actualization today."
A Stratellite stationed in the stratosphere, at 65,000 feet, will be able to provide state-of-the-art communications to areas that either don't currently have the infrastructure to support such services, or are unable to support a terrestrial-based infrastructure due to topography. Additionally, a Stratellite can be used to supplement communications services in areas where infrastructure has been damaged by natural or man-made disasters. Lower altitude, shorter duration airships more closely resembling the Sanswire 2A are envisioned to be able to provide communications in times of emergency or could be used for border patrol, surveillance, and as a communications bridge to naval battle groups or between ground troops.
