Drones and the Future of Wired Telecommunications Carriers
Overview
Drones are poised to revolutionize the future of wired telecommunications carriers. As they become increasingly integrated with telecommunication systems, drones offer the potential to increase efficiency, cut costs, reduce downtime, and improve safety. Various reports highlight the growing significance of drones in the telecommunications industry and enumerate how this technology can address major challenges that this industry faces today.
The Role of Drones in the Telecommunication Industry
Currently, drones have numerous applications in the telecom industry with an estimated market value of $1.7 billion in 2026, according to ABI Research. They are primarily being used for tower inspections, maintenance, and surveillance. This eliminates the risks associated with human intervention in high and often hazardous locations, and can reduce inspection times by up to 50% while cutting costs by 30-50%. Use of drones can also decrease downtime associated with tower inspections, which historically amounts to approximately 5-7 hours per inspection.
Drones and Network Coverage
Drones aren't just for maintenance, though. They're increasingly seen as a solution for coverage problems in remote or disaster-stricken areas. PwC predicts that by 2026, up to 40% of wireless networks could be delivered via drones. These so-called “flying cell towers” can provide mobile connectivity in regions where ground infrastructure is sparse or damaged. Furthermore, drones can be deployed at a much faster rate compared to traditional methods, with the potential to establish a network within 48 hours of deployment.
Regulatory and Safety Challenges
Despite the major benefits, the integration of drones into telecommunication operations isn't without challenges. The regulatory environment is complex, with numerous aviation and communication rules to abide by. An estimated 10% of all drone flight applications get rejected due to non-compliance with airspace regulations, according to Drone Analyst. Furthermore, there are major safety concerns. With the number of drones expected to reach 2.1 million by 2021 according to the FAA, the likelihood of mid-air collisions also rises.
Key Takeaways
• Drones are set to revolutionize the telecom industry, with a projected market value of $1.7 billion by 2026.
• They can significantly increase efficiency and safety in tower inspections, reducing inspection times by up to 50% and cutting costs by 30-50%.
• Drones could potentially provide up to 40% of wireless networks by 2026, thanks to their ability to cover remote or disaster-stricken areas.
• However, regulatory complexities and safety concerns pose challenges, with around 10% of drone flight applications rejected due to airspace non-compliance.
3Laws Robotics: Supporting the Future of Telecom
3Laws Robotics is at the forefront of making drones and robots a viable, safe, and efficient solution in the telecommunication industry and beyond. By offering innovative software, 3Laws addresses key challenges faced by robotic companies such as certification, safety, and adaptability.
Their software, the 3Laws Supervisor built on Control Barrier Functions technology, seeks to simplify certification by offering robust safety features and observable system robustness. 3Laws’ software has been demonstrated in various applications: it has aided an autonomous forklift to achieve a 40% efficiency gain, facilitated safe human-robot interaction, and enabled robots to navigate effectively in dynamic environments.
Concisely, 3Laws Robotics’ safety solution surpasses traditional methods, providing dynamic, predictive safety that is compatible with ROS and ROS2. With the ability to be safety-certified for ISO 3691-4 and ISO 26262, they continue to enhance operational efficiency and propel the potential of drones and robots in a broader spectrum of applications.