Verizon has revealed its strategy to increase adoption for in-flight wireless connectivity through its Airborne LTE Operations (ALO) initiative.
Following launches from AT&T on IoT related developments earlier in the week, Verizon has announced the following:
# Completion of technical trials in various locations across the country deploying both unmanned and manned aircraft on the 4G LTE network by Verizon.
# Early adopter simulation exercise in Cape May, New Jersey using unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) demonstrating Verizon 4G LTE network to aid first responders and emergency management personnel to enhance disaster recovery efforts.
# Launch of a new suite of services in 2017 on the Verizon ThingSpace IoT platform to create and manage a wide-range of ALO-enabled applications backed by cloud and analytics capabilities.
# Device certification process setting forth requirements to enable access to wireless connectivity for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) on Verizon 4G LTE network.
# Collaboration with American Aerospace (AATI) and Sierra Wireless for aerial long-range applications beyond line of sight.
The in-flight LTE operations by Verizon, spanning 113.2 million retail connections nationwide, have been developed since 2014 and throughout 2015.
Verizon, with about $132 billion in 2015 revenue, developed Airborne LTE Operations further by 2016 with American Aerospace Technologies Inc. (AATI) to test connectivity between aerial platforms on the Verizon 4G LTE network.
The trial conducted with a 17-foot wingspan unmanned aircraft system in conjunction with AATI, used the aerial platform to test advanced aerial inspection techniques applied to the hundreds of miles of pipeline in rural Virginia and also nationwide interconnecting Verizon 4G LTE network.
After a successful trial, Verizon announced its 4G LTE 700 MHz network safe for in-flight wireless connectivity for device and service requirements as part of the ALO initiative by Verizon.
Together with AATI, Verizon is exploring further steps in in-flight cellular services for UAV nationally on its 4G LTE network. Once federal regulations allow UAV operation beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), new tests will focus on BVLOS command-and-control cellular network communications for long-distance UAVs.
After device certification based on Verizon Open Development requirements for wireless connectivity and usage on Verizon LTE network, aerial devices can be used for multiple applications by embedding the device on the UAV itself, as an add-on device to the UAV or in conjunction with a low-altitude flying manned aircraft. Devices certified by Verizon will be listed on the Open Development portal by the company.
“By scaling the systems required to connect UAS and UAVs to our LTE network nationwide through our ALO initiative, we’ve set the stage for a wide range of applicable solutions to be delivered via our ThingSpace open development platform across multiple sectors,” said Mike Lanman, senior vice president of Enterprise Products and IoT at Verizon.
Verizon Labs technology organization and Verizon Ventures, which was the first wireless service provider to become a member of the Small UAV Coalition (SUAVC), are investing in IoT innovation.
Verizon Labs contributes to the larger UAV ecosystem by supporting policy efforts of the SUAVC, AUVSI and other industry groups, and participated in trials conducted under the Federal Aviation Administration’s Pathfinder initiative and NASA’s UTM program while, Verizon Ventures has invested in this area with portfolio companies, like Skyward, PrecisionHawk etc.
Last year, Verizon and PrecisionHawk began an early-adopter trial using UAVs and data analytics as part of ag tech solution by the former.
In the second-quarter 2016, revenue from IoT business of Verizon grew 25 percent summing to $205 million and approximately $400 million year-to-date June 2016.
Verizon has plans underway to acquire IoT firms like GPS-based Fleetmatics and Telogis also, by the end of 2016.
At the same time, both AT&T and Qualcomm are gearing up to test the intersection of wireless access and drones.
Vina Krishnan
editor@telecomlead.com
