Deutsche Telekom has joined a steadily growing number of carriers trailing base stations in the sky.. Working alongside Czech firm Primoco, the operator provided mobile connectivity via drones for a large-scale event.. T-Mobile Czech Republic lent its expertise to the project, which saw two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) flown over the Brdy Protected Landscape Area in Nepomuk, Czechia..
The drones were fitted with integrated base stations and would alternate their paths, providing mobile coverage across an area of around 7.7 square miles (20 square kilometers).. During the event, mobile devices automatically connected to the UAV-mounted base stations operating at frequency bands used in typical terrestrial networks, offering data rates of up to 100Mbps.
Satellite backhaul was also employed for both aircraft, meaning they didn’t have to connect to additional ground stations.. A Primoco UAV with integrated Deutsche Telekom mobile network technology – Deutsche Telekom. The trial was framed as a success, showcasing the potential for airborne mobile connectivity.
The carrier said that network capacity can be prioritized for emergency responders, viewing it as a potential complement to terrestrial networks.. Ladislav Semetkovský, CEO, Primoco UAV, explained that the aircraft employed can also provide continuous 24/7 service, noting: “When one aircraft is on the ground for refueling, the second remains in operation, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity.
This makes the solution particularly valuable in crisis situations, where reliable communication must be available around the clock.”. T-Mobile said it plans to work with partners to further develop its UAV-based idea.. “Innovation happens when new technologies prove themselves under real-world conditions.
The insights gained from this successful trial point the way towards the next stages of development,” said Jaroslav Holiš, DT’s senior manager for research and trials. “Our goal remains resilient mobile connectivity for special operational scenarios.”. Housing mobile connectivity in the sky is far from a novel concept.
Meta tried and failed to bring the idea to life through its solar-powered Aquila drone in the mid-2010s before shutting its Connectivity unit in 2018.. Google also had similar efforts but opted for interconnected balloons instead of drones. Project Loon’s stratospheric mesh network failed to get off the ground, though the tech means to connect those balloons was eventually spun out in the form of Taara..
Some ideas never die, though, and several firms have been looking for ways to expand connectivity beyond the conventional means of towers.. SoftBank earlier this week revealed plans to bring direct-to-device (D2D) network coverage to Japan via high-altitude platform station (HAPS) aircraft.
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