PHOENIX—Space Data Corp.’s balloon-based technology has been approved by the FCC, which the company said will allow it to use the nationwide spectrum license it acquired early this year.
Space Data plans to attach communications electronics to weather balloons so it can provide wireless communication service in remote, rural and outlying suburban areas, pending agreements with the National Weather Service and other international organizations. The company also said its system is capable of sending wireless e-mails via these SkySites to advanced messaging devices on the ground.
“Our vision is to operate as a carrier for existing wireless carriers, which means that our system provides wireless coverage but is transparent to the user,” said Jerry Knoblach, the company’s chief executive officer and co-founder. “Even in this tough economic climate, investors have seen the value of Space Data’s service and technology.”
Space Data recently received $3 million in private placement funding, bringing its total financing to more than $9 million. The company said it plans to deploy its network within a year.
