TEOCO and Swisscom Collaborate to Optimize Connectivity for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
Operator trials TEOCO’s AirborneRF solution to evaluate the quality of the mobile radio network in the lower airspace and enable commercial use of UAVs
FAIRFAX, VA., USA – 17 March 2020 – TEOCO, the leading provider of analytics, assurance and optimization solutions to over 300 communication service providers (CSPs) and OEMs worldwide, together with partner ENKOM, has today communicated a joint development cooperation with Swisscom, Switzerland’s leading mobile operator, to optimize its mobile radio network to support commercial UAV traffic. In particular, TEOCO is helping Swisscom to explore the potential of their cellular network to support U-space, a set of new services designed to ensure the safe, efficient and secure access to airspace for large numbers of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Already deployed by several tier-one operators globally, AirborneRF ensures effective, mission-critical connectivity to enable efficient traffic management and control for UAVs in the lower airspace. This includes providing risk analysis of adequate mobile network coverage in the flight planning phase to support UAVs to reach their destinations safely and securely.
“Swisscom’s reliable and secure mobile network is ready to support UAVs,” said Dr. Rico Schwendener, Head of Innovation at Swisscom. “Our joint development cooperation will further help us providing the required levels of mobile broadband connectivity to support safe and reliable flights for UAVs, servicing a wide range of different use cases.”
“The aviation industry considers connectivity a given, but mobile networks are highly dynamic and by default not designed or optimized to support aviation,” said Thomas Neubauer, VP Business Development at TEOCO. “Swisscom clearly recognises this challenge, but also understands what a great opportunity commercial UAVs can provide, beyond the provision of basic connectivity. With our AirborneRF solution we can help operators determine where it is safe to fly within their radio network and connect them with the aviation ecosystem. We have proven experience of deploying AirborneRF with other tier-one operators around the world and can share our experiences to drive uptake of commercial UAV traffic.”