A telecommunications system comprises: at least one station placed on a stationary high-altitude platform comprising propulsion means for remaining stationary around a specified point, the station being suitable for establishing at least one direct bidirectional communication link with another stationary high-altitude platform station; at least one network gateway station on the ground, for setting up communications between a core network and at least one station placed on a stationary high-altitude platform; a plurality of stations placed in drifting balloons for establishing a direct bidirectional communication link with at least one station placed on a stationary high-altitude platform or/and at least one other station placed in a drifting balloon; and a plurality of user terminals for establishing a direct bidirectional communication link with a station placed on a stationary high-altitude platform or/and at least one station placed in a drifting balloon.