Nokia has had its commercial LTE and 5G drone option (Nokia Drone Networks) licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States. It stated it is the very first “native 4G/5G drone-in-a-box option” to get approval from the FCC. It is targeted at commercial and public sector consumers, and will be offered with its personal LTE and 5G items. It includes network measurement abilities from Germany-based test business Rohde & & Schwarz.
The drone option supports beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations. Nokia stated it will lean on its channel collaborations in the United States, especially with system integrator Kyndryl, with which it has actually formed a close collaboration in the Market 4.0 area, however likewise with AT&T and Verizon, and likewise with the similarity DXC Innovation, Future Technologies Endeavor, Graybar, and Trilogy NextGen, to name a few.
The collaboration with Rohde & & Schwarz has actually been essential to get the FCC pass. The set initially signed an offer in 2015 to embed the latter’s QualiPoc measurement tools into the drone platform. Nokia called it a “first-of-its-kind option” to “broaden usage cases for consumers with much deeper understanding around cordless network protection and efficiency”. The cooperation has actually considering that encompassed gadget screening and accreditation, consisting of with the FCC.
The German company’s R&S CMX500 radio interaction tester item was made use of by Nokia Bell Labs for “radiated and carried out emissions” screening, and has actually been embedded into the drone and network parts to guarantee compliance with regulative requirements and “mission-critical” efficiency, stated Nokia. It mentioned: “[Its rich tool set⦠and the flexible web-based R&S CMsquares user interface were instrumental⦠in signaling protocol tests.â
Nokia explained: âResilient connectivity is critical to remote drone operation, real-time streaming of data collected during a drone mission, and BVLOS operation using a large set of 3GPP spectrum bands. Research and development efforts have pushed the boundaries in terms of RF design and connectivity performance. Innovative features such as full network connection redundancy, multi-operator support, and hot failover also differentiate Nokia Drone Networks in terms of operational reliability.â
Thomas Eder, head of embedded wireless solutions at Nokia, said: âThis achievement highlights the vital role that collaboration and diligent testing play in the 5G era. By meeting the FCCâs rigorous standards, we are shaping the path in the US for industrial and public sector use cases, improved 5G spectrum monetization, and the nationwide roll-out of drones for BVLOS operations on 3GPP spectrum.â
Olaf Heisch, director of target accounts for mobile network testing at Rohde & Schwarz, said: âThis achievement underscores the transformative capabilities of our radio communication tester. Its role in securing FCC certification⦠is a testament to its pivotal position in driving innovation in the 5G and drone technology landscape. This collaboration highlights the power of cutting-edge technology and strategic partnerships in shaping the future of the industry.â