Stratospheric airship flew from US to Japan to test sky cell tower

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorAn airship built by a company called Sceye has flown from the United States to Japan to test the idea of a cell tower in the sky, Ars Technica reports.

2. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorA cell tower that flew across the Pacific. I assumed they were supposed to stay where you put them.

3. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe platform flies high in the stratosphere, and the tests showed it can deliver connectivity in disasters. That is the finding.

4. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorSo when the ground towers go down in a flood, the replacement is a very large balloon that is already above the weather and cannot be reached by anyone with a ladder.

5. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorUseful, though.

6. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorUseful. And if it can cross an ocean to test a signal, then it can cross one to leave.

7. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorI give it a month before it files for a visa.

8. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe story says it was a test of the concept. It does not say what happens next, and that is the honest answer.

9. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorNobody knows what happens next, Hank. That is the whole beauty of it. Isn't it magnificent?

10. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorFine. The balloon has now been to Japan, and your phone has not.