  Providing "connectivity from the sky" is the new innovative trend in wireless
communications. High and low altitude platforms, drones, aircrafts and airships
are being considered as the candidates for deploying wireless communications
complementing the terrestrial communication infrastructure. In this article, we
report the detailed account of the design and implementation challenges of an
aerial network consisting of LTE Advanced (LTE-A) base stations. In particular,
we review achievements and innovations harnessed by an aerial network composed
of Helikite platforms. Helikites can be raised in the sky to bring Internet
access during special events and in the aftermath of an emergency. The trial
phase of the system mounting LTE-A technology onboard Helikites to serve users
on the ground showed not only to be very encouraging but that such a system
could offer even a longer lasting solution provided that inefficiency in
powering the radio frequency equipment in the Helikite can be overcome.
