Drones To Hook Up To LTE Network?

Drones are here to stay, whether you like it or not. Having said that, many drones these days come with a camera, where even higher end models sport 4K video cameras that are able to capture some really stunning images and videos. But to have these drones hooked up to a mobile network? That would be something new, and both Intel and AT&T would like to see drones of the future being connected to an LTE network.

Both AT&T and Intel have already announced that they would be working with one another to test out consumer drones on AT&T’s LTE network, with the main purpose of not having you call someone while showing them a bird’s eye view of the area, but rather, to account for a drone’s relatively high altitude. AT&T is currently testing out connectivity of up to 500 feet in height, complying with federal rules. Apart from that, both companies would like to minimize any kind of potential signal interference as well.

Do expect the Intel drones involved in this particular effort to be shown off in Barcelona this week at Mobile World Congress. Intel has mentioned that they would “test and define” how drones which are hooked up to an LTE network will function, and AT&T hopes to test out how video streaming real-time camera footage will end up for the consumer should it be made available then. Makes you wonder whether Batman, if he had a drone, would be hooked up to a mobile network, right?

Edwin Kee
Categories: Robots
Tags: AT&T, Drones, Intel