Flying cellphone towers: Could drones bring internet coverage to remote areas?
CNN Business — Tech giants including Google and Facebook have spent years trying to figure out how to bring the internet to billions of people who still lack a reliable connection. Courtesy of Spooky Action Tiwari initially intended his drones to be used as anti-poaching “flying watchtowers” in Africa, but when he spoke to industry insiders, he saw a bigger potential. Tiwari saysmobile coverage drops “substantially” just outside the main cities, so he is working with network providers to target suburbs, where they can cover the most people per drone. “It’s good business and it happens to be good for the world.” Each drone can provide high-quality internet for several hundred people over a radius of between 20 miles and 30 miles, says Tiwari, so remote areas may only need one drone, while suburbsmay need several. Sam Twala, from South African consultancy NTSU Aviation Solutions, tells CNN that drones could make “business sense,” at least in the short term.
Discover Related
Vodafone Idea’s 5G rollout comes with a side of satellite internet FOMO
Starlink In India? IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Says 'Welcome', Then Deletes Tweet
Newport Beach approves over $2 million for drones designed to respond to 911 calls
Vodafone working on drones to restore mobile signal if masts go down
Apple iPhones to support Elon Musk’s SpaceX-owned Starlink direct-to-cell coverage in U.S.
How to access Starlink satellite network on iPhones to send text- All details
No signal: iPhone users can now send text messages via Starlink satellites
Airtel shocks Starlink, all set to launch its satellite internet service in India
Edmunds highlights the top car-tech trends from CES 2025
Good news for BSNL, Vi, Jio, Airtel users! TRAI mandates telcos to publish coverage maps
Border areas, remote villages in Ladakh gets 4G mobile connectivity: Army
Air India Wi-Fi: In a first, airline rolls out in-flight internet services on domestic routes; here’s how to access it
Air India offers in-flight Wi-Fi services for domestic flyers
Are militants in Manipur using Starlink satellite internet? | Explained
Tamil Nadu govt. permits use of airstrip for exclusive drone operations in Kallakurichi
Starlink brings high-speed Wi-Fi to flight, Elon Musk's new video threatens Jio, Airtel
¿Drones, aviones u ovnis? Misteriosos avistamientos en Nueva Jersey causan revuelo
Elon Musk's SpaceX completes Starlink's direct-to-cell constellation
Starlink Direct-to-Cell revolution: Make calls and send texts without SIM
Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet not to dominate Jio and Airtel: Know-how
Elon Musk's Starlink helped smugglers in Andaman's massive drug haul: All about it
4G connectivity near LAC in Ladakh, major boost to military communication
'Wolf in sheep's clothing': Report flags Starlink's US military ties
Verizon's mobile network down for tens of thousands of users in US
Telstra, Optus 3G network shutdown delayed amid emergency call concerns