TEHRAN, — Iranian businessman Babak Zanjani, head of the DotOne group, has announced plans to deploy 200 high-altitude platform station (HAPS) communication drones over Iran by the end of 2026. The proposed network would use aircraft operating above 20 kilometres in the stratosphere to provide internet and communication services across remote and hard-to-reach areas.
According to Zanjani’s October 26 statement on X, the drones would be positioned at planned distances from one another to provide coverage across different parts of the country. The initiative is part of DotOne Cell’s broader plan to move some telecommunications base stations from the ground into the air.
The company aims to allow users in villages and mountainous regions to access connectivity through ordinary mobile phones without large receivers or SIM cards. However, the technical details of the planned drones, their communication systems and the method for identifying users have not been publicly disclosed.
How the HAPS Communication Network Would Work
High-Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) are communication platforms that operate in the stratosphere, generally between 20 and 50 kilometres above Earth, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). They can use solar-powered fixed-wing drones, airships or balloons equipped with telecommunications systems.
Unlike conventional mobile base stations, which provide coverage from the ground, HAPS platforms can transmit communication signals over much larger areas. They can connect with mobile devices on the ground while linking to the wider telecommunications network through ground stations or other network connections.
Operating closer to Earth than orbital satellites can also reduce communication latency compared with many satellite systems. Their altitude allows them to cover areas where building conventional cellular infrastructure or laying communication cables is difficult.
The proposed network could therefore help extend connectivity to remote villages, mountainous terrain and other areas with limited telecommunications infrastructure. Such platforms could also support communications when ground infrastructure is damaged, provided the necessary network links remain available.
DotOne Also Announces LEO Satellite Launch Plan
Alongside the HAPS project, Zanjani announced plans for the first satellite in DotOne’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) constellation. According to his announcement, the satellite is scheduled for launch on December 7, 2026, corresponding to 16 Azar 1405 in the Iranian calendar.
He also said DotOne Cell aims to develop into a valuable regional communications infrastructure provider by the end of the year and support mining of its DOTO token on the company’s blockchain.
Technical Challenges and Deployment Status
The proposed 200-drone network faces several technical and regulatory requirements. These include communication capacity, spectrum permissions, coordination with existing networks and a system for authenticating users.
Direct connectivity with ordinary smartphones is technically possible with suitable communication equipment and radio frequencies. However, operating without a SIM card would require an alternative method of identifying and authorising users. DotOne has not released detailed specifications for its planned drones or explained how these functions would work.
International projects demonstrate that HAPS technology is advancing, although large-scale deployment remains challenging. In September 2026, Japan’s SoftBank and U.S.-based Sceye reported successful communication trials using a stratospheric platform, including voice calls and data connectivity with ordinary smartphones. SoftBank is targeting commercial services from 2027 onward.
The International Telecommunication Union identifies HAPS as a potential way to extend broadband coverage to rural, mountainous and other underserved regions, while also supporting emergency communications when terrestrial infrastructure is disrupted.
Zanjani’s business group operates across several sectors, including logistics, rail, ride-hailing and digital assets. The United States has imposed sanctions on parts of his business network over alleged links to sanctions evasion.
As of late October 2026, the proposed 200-drone deployment remains a company announcement. Independent confirmation of production, testing and regulatory approval for the full network has not been reported in the supplied information. The planned deployment by the end of the year would therefore depend on the project's technical progress and the necessary approvals.
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