  Researchers are currently speculating about what the role of beyond
fifth-generation (B5G) or sixth generation (6G) wireless systems will be.
Several use cases and applications are proposed, ranging from enhanced mobile
broadband communications and massive ultra-reliable low-latency Communication
to holographic telepresence and tactile communications. One crucial and pivotal
prospect of 6G is worldwide connectivity. Today, nearly 4 billion people do not
have access to an internet connection. 6G not only intends to hyper-connect the
already connected, but to bridge the digital divide by connecting the
unconnected. For that purpose, 6G architectures will integrate airborne
communications as they are considered key enablers for the next generation of
wireless systems. Airborne communications can be done via free-flying platforms
and tethered flying platforms. Free-flying platforms, such as unmanned aerial
vehicles (UAVs) and high-altitude platforms (HAPs) have received great interest
during the last decade. However, they lack endurance and backhaul capacity.
Networked Tethered Flying Platforms (NTFPs), on the other hand, are enjoying
the benefits of free-flying platforms while overcoming their limitations by
providing a continuous supply of power and data via the tether. They are also
cost-efficient and have good green credentials. Tether platforms have a wide
range of applications beyond communications, such as energy harvesting,
entertainment, science, research, public safety, disaster relief, government,
and defense. In this survey paper, we intend to provide an extensive and
comprehensive overview of NTFPs.
