AT&T has started using drones to inspect its cellular towers and has plans to use the flying machines in the future to boost mobile data rates at big events. The telecom giant announced on July 13, Wednesday that using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) makes the inspections of the cell sites faster and safer. The United States' second largest wireless carrier is also teaming up with Intel to test Long-Term Evolution (LTE)-connected drones.
John Donovan is chief strategy officer at AT&T. He shared the company's plans in a blog post.
AT&T also reported that the UAVs allow the company to access parts of the tower that humans cannot get to. The drones collect data from the network sites then send it to AT&T systems for real-time changes, according to Ars Technica.
AT&T has big plans for its drones. If its current tests are auspicious it could start providing better LTE wireless tech to major events. That would allow thousands of people at live concerts to send photos and videos at the same time, for example.
The telecommunications company would use Cells on Wings (COWs) for delivering LTE at big events, or network connections for fast disaster response.
AT&T reported it has tested drones for the past year to learn how they could improve its cell network. The research team represented decades of flight control, tech, and military experience.
Donovan's blog post includes a video showing how AT&T is already using drones to check tall cell towers. A live video feed is sent to an AT&T engineer sitting in an office who inspects cables and parts.
The wireless carrier will demo its drone tech at this week's Shape Tech Expo in San Francisco. However, it is unknown when Flying COWs will launch.
Other telecoms have done research about using drones to provide Internet access. Google and Facebook are testing tech such as Internet-beaming drones that can provide web connectivity to rural areas without network infrastructure.
In related news, a drone recently helped an Iowa man suffering from a heart attack. The DJI Phantom's camera was able to find the missing boaters that included a grandfather and granddaughter within three minutes after takeoff, according to CNN.
Here's a review of DJI's Phantom 4 drone: