UPDATE Inside Towers reported that AT&T is testing an all-weather Cell On Wings (COW) drone to help restore cell service after a natural disaster strikes an area. Now, Verizon is testing a drone as well.
Verizon conducted trials of a 200-pound gas-powered drone in Cape May County, NJ, reports CNBC. The drone acts as a flying cell site and provides a 4G LTE signal for a one-mile range.
“The ability to bring coverage to an area that had no coverage really quickly is something that emergency responders are all over,” says Verizon Network VP Michael Haberman. Though Verizon’s drones are still in the testing phase, they will still be available to use this hurricane season, according to the executive.
After Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico last year, the FCC authorized AT&T to use its COWs to restore cell service. The carrier also opened cell phone access to anyone, beyond customers. The carrier sees its drones as a service.
“We would provide our flying COW to the first responders, to, say the fire department, and we would pilot it for them,” AT&T Drone Program Director, Art Pregler, tells CNBC. “So all it takes is for them to place a phone call, email, contact us and we’ll provide that service.”
June 26, 2018
Menu
Menu
