Verizon is testing 4G LTE-connected drones as emergency cell service providers

Paste your parsed code here. Paste your parsed code here.

Over the past two years, U.S. carrier Verizon has been at work on the so-called Airborne LTE Operations project, which is about experimenting with implementing 4G LTE wireless connectivity in manned and unmanned aircraft – such as drones.

Now, Verizon has announced its goal is to use cellular-connected drones for providing mobile connection during emergency situations when relying on cellular towers isn’t an option.

A disaster like the 2012 Hurricane Sandy, for example, rendered around 25% of cell phone towers in 10 states damaged or unusable. Verizon has partnered up with American Aerospace Technologies Inc. to test connectivity between aircraft and the carrier’s 4G LTE network. The two are using a drone with a mighty 17-foot wingspan to accomplish their goal.

Additionally, the drones could be used with communications apps to survey trouble zones in an emergency, safely monitor high-voltage lines and pipelines, and keep an eye on crops. Verizon is looking to officially launch the program in 2017.

ALSO READ

Paste your parsed code here. Paste your parsed code here.

Related Posts:

• Free Internet? Facebook is in talks to bring its Free Basics app to the USAThe Washington Post reports that Facebook has been talking to the U.S. Government in a bid to bring its Free Basics app in America. Available in developing countries, Free Basics provides free access to essential websites and… Read More
• This is why you shouldn't buy your new Pixel phone directly through VerizonIf there’s ever been a phone to create for a rift in the Android community, it’s the new Pixel and Pixel XL from Google. Although the Google Store has already completely sold out of the 128GB XL, a lot of you out … Read More
• UK Royal Mail tells staff to refuse shipment of the Galaxy Note 7For a very brief moment, it seemed like Samsung had somewhat managed to weather the storm after an eventful September with the Galaxy Note 7 battery saga. But reports of new devices catching fire has the w… Read More
• Sharp's new Corner R concept phone sports a bezel-less curved edge displaySharp, the electronics company that was purchased by contract manufacturer Foxconn for $6.2 billion last February, has unveiled a new concept handset. Dubbed the Sharp Corner R, the phone features a bezel-less and curved-edge… Read More
• Best new Android and iPhone games (October 1st - October 6th)If you are wondering about the best new Android and iPhone games, and you don’t want to go through hundreds of new games in the app stores, we have picked the very best new releases from the past week right here.The gam… Read More