Airborne Wireless Network recently achieved the first flight test of its high-speed broadband airborne connectivity network, using a temporary mobile mast system to emulate a ground station and two Boeing 767s carrying airborne equipment. The plan for the network is to put aircraft to work as airborne repeaters or routers, eventually creating a flying network or, as the company calls it, “a digital superhighway in the sky.”

The company believes that its airborne network will allow users all over the world—including those living in rural areas and island nations, and those on ships, oil platforms and aircraft—to tap into the network. Airborne Wireless Network won’t provide connectivity services to end users but will act as a wholesale carrier and work with companies to offer retail services.