Deutsche Telekom uses drone as mobile base station for temporary coverage

Deutsche Telekom successfully deployed a drone as a mobile network base station for the first time in a live commercial network trial. During the legendary Jizerská 50 cross-country ski race in the Czech Jizera Mountains, the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) provided mobile coverage from an altitude of 2.3 kilometers for four hours over a stretch of the route that lacked connectivity.

Deutsche Telekom partnered with Czech drone expert Primoco UAV SE to develop the solution for temporary mobile coverage, intended for events or disaster areas. In its initial deployment, the drone ensured connectivity along a six-kilometer section of the Jizerská 50 trail, achieving download speeds of up to 95 Megabits per second. This makes Deutsche Telekom the first European carrier to utilize such a "flying base station."

"In inaccessible terrain or crisis situations, a flying antenna drone provides resilient connectivity," said Claudia Nemat, Board Member for Technology and Innovation. She added that the approach complements Deutsche Telekom's existing tools for reliable mobile communication.

The drone deployment at the ski race was considered an ideal scenario, as the Jizera Mountains area hosts sporting events while being a protected natural reserve. T-Mobile Czech Republic was able to provide connectivity to 4,460 participants without disrupting the environment. The technology can also offer flexible coverage in disaster areas, such as during floods or earthquakes, when terrestrial infrastructure is damaged.