By Claudia Baco, Contributing editor
These two worlds are coming closer than you can imagine. Telcos are now becoming drone operators with 24/7 flight management centers. Providing data to enable safe and scalable drone flights is not just a “service” from the telcos, it becomes part of a new business opportunity for them. Going one step beyond this, we’ve just seen a recent announcement where telcom networks can be used to adjunct existing aviation safety solutions.
Dimetor has recently announced its NavSentry – automated, live global navigation satellite service (GNSS) spoofing/jamming monitoring & detection solution. This is a topic most often associated with air traffic management (ATM) from the perspective of passenger aircraft, but this is also important when it comes to uncrewed traffic management (UTM).
Drones don’t have pilots onboard and have to rely on reported positioning data for making de-confliction decisions. Without a pilot to correct a position that seems incorrect, there is potential for property damage or even deadly consequences.
NavSentry relies on telcom mobile networks acting as a sensing network to provide GNSS-independent location information. Another example of a service that telcoms can offer to drone operators as a failsafe to their traditional location information.
Unmanned Airspace had the opportunity to speak with Thomas Neubauer, CEO & Co-Founder, Dimetor about the linkage between telecommunications networks and drones. And more specifically the role that 5G can play. In short, his view was “telcos are in the business of delivering data.”
Building on this, the discussion began with ‘drones as first responders’ and their need for data from telcos to ensure safety and scalability. They need to know where people are and telco SIMs provide an alternative form of positioning. “Telcos know where a SIM is. Reliable positioning reduces the opportunities for malicious spoofing,” said Neubauer. Some governments even run dedicated networks for first responders to ensure adequate connectivity and positioning is in place.
As far as the 4G/5G discussion goes, it really depends on the mission the drone is flying. The latency with a 4G communication is about 10 milliseconds, whereas 5G is about 1 millisecond. That sounds like it’s not a very big difference, but there are added benefits to 5G. Some of these include additional spectrum, increased frequencies for antennas, network slicing dedicated to specific applications and in some new releases of 5G there are digital airspace features. This topic is worthy of an entire article to address the roles of 5G in digital airspace. Going beyond BVLOS, this can also have applications in traditional air traffic management functionality.
As far as location accuracy for first responders, a range of 20 – 150 metres of accuracy is acceptable. 4G can provide around 50 metres of accuracy and 5G could improve this. Either way, these technologies can help first responders reach their destination more accurately.
Telcos directly in the world of drones
Swisscom, the telecommunications provider in Switzerland, is partnering with Nokia Drone Networks to offer Swisscom Broadcast Drones-As-A-Service. The result is an infrastructure that is being developed that includes up to 300 automated drone-in-a-box units. These can be used for industrial inspections and time-critical first responder operations by organisations who don’t have the need/nor desire to own and manage their own drone fleet. All data gathered by the drones can be stored in Swisscom’s secure data storage facilities in Switzerland.
On the other side of the world, you’ve got telecom giant KDDI investing in Skydio to create a disaster response network with 1,000 drones deployed around Japan, that can be on stand-by for disaster recovery efforts. Transmission of data gathered by the drones will occur over KDDI’s satellite and 5G networks.
But these aren’t the only examples worth noting
KPN Drone Connect provides an infrastructure-as-a-service solution. This type of functionality in this entry level telecom solution could include connectivity services providing SIM cards and reliable data communication for UAS operations, command and control (C2) communications and support for critical functions such as real-time video streaming. Additional information services such as airspace connectivity information, ground risk and people density, as well as satellite independent position data can also be included. Neubauer also explained how Dimetor’s AirborneRF solution, “is an integral part of DroneConnect running on top of the mobile network to bridge the worlds of telecommunications and aviation.”
The next level up in value-added solutions is platform-as-a-service. In addition to infrastructure-as-a-service functionality the solution includes real-time data processing, application services, project and workflow management solutions, flight control and sensor data post-processing. Vodafone’s DroNetHUB is an example of this type of service. By combining their connectivity with a comprehensive platform, DroNet HUB supports full mission planning and execution, from route optimisation to network coverage analysis.
The most comprehensive option is an end-to-end-solution (E2E). This encompass every aspect of the UAS ecosystem – connectivity and platforms – airspace integration and regulatory compliance. And now the operation of the drones. The Swisscom offer mentioned above is an example of an E2E solution.
You can see there are many opportunities for telecommunications providers to partner with the world of drones. The potential continues to evolve and open many new doors for new revenue streams for telcoms and enhanced services for drone operators. This article only brushes the surface of these partnerships. There is still work to be done at the regulatory level to allow for telcom data compliance in aviation. The good news is working groups are already underway.
| GUTMA report highlights benefits, challenges of telco/drone integrated services
In September, 2024 GUTMA released its report on Mobile Network Services for Drone Operators. The goal of the report was to increase drone operators’ utilisation of mobile networks. Identify and advertise drone operators’ requirements to mobile network operators (MNOs). The key findings of the report are summarised below1 Drone Operators’ Expectations: • Robust, reliable network data services for both air and ground connectivity • Mobile networks are essential for command and control (C2), real-time data streaming, and adherence to regulatory standards like UTM and NetRID Challenges and Opportunities in Mobile Network Services: • Today’s mobile networks are primarily designed for ground-based users, presenting challenges for aerial operations, such as signal interference and limited coverage at higher altitudes • 5G offers significant improvements in data throughput, latency, and connectivity Strategic Alignment and Cross-Industry Collaboration: • There is a need for better alignment between the expectations of the Mobile Network Operator (MNO) community and the specific requirements of the drone industry • A cross-function/value matrix is proposed to match drone operators’ most critical needs with mobile network services supporting them, ensuring that both industries can effectively collaborate and innovate to build sustainable businesses In short, this study validates that there are important opportunities for telcos and drone operators to come together on business models to enhance functionality, safety and identify new revenue streams. It’s not new to say that telecommunications networks are an integral part of BVLOS becoming a widespread reality, but this report details many of the ways in which they can help. Source: |
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