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But, practical applications for this type of tech could be not-far-off. From the article: "The aircraft could be used for everything from relaying cell phone calls to cable television or Internet connections."

There have already been companies looking at using always-in-flight planes to provide cost-effective broadband service to areas not currently served. This technique is already being explored Raytheon Angel.

Using lasers to power the aircraft could make this alot more practical!

Ah-ha!
http://angelhalo.com/
Kudos to the Wayback Machine for digging up the parent company's url!

Here is a pretty interesting approch, it's a star-network topology with an airplane carrying the hub.

Link

Ummm.. anyone notice this? http://www.angelhalo.com/banner.htm
The Broadband.com Company doesn't own the domain name Broadband.com.
It's for sale.
Hrmphp

The sad part is that, by spending so much money on a stupid idea, inventor money is no longer available for actual good ideas. Iridium was based on how corporate executives see themselves, rather than on the reality of life as a corporate executive:

Ah yes! I'm a Master of the Universe! I have to be contacted anywhere on the planet because I'm so powerful and important! In the middle of the oceans! In Siberia! Everywhere!

...the sad truth being that corporate executives spend virtually all their time in offices, airports, in airplanes or at other people's offices. All of which are serviced just fine by cel phones.

But since Iridium peed in the water, nobody will want to swim. And actual good ideas, like Angel Halo have a much harder time of it.