Verizon Communications flew drones earlier this month to test their ability to support a “flying cell site” for LTE service over various distances. The company said the test sought to simulate an environment like those that occur when disasters knock out communications services.

Verizon said the test, conducted on April 5 at Woodbine Municipal Airport in Woodbine, N.J. and spotted by DSL Reports, was also designed to “simulate an environment in which commercial power is knocked out indefinitely after a severe weather event or other disaster that interrupts traditional communications services.”

The carrier said the test was done under a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) issued by the FAA to Cape May County in preparation for a major emergency preparedness exercise in May involving county, state and federal emergency responders.

“This new test builds upon our leadership in conducting the first successful demonstration in the U.S. for providing aerial coverage from a long-endurance medium altitude aircraft with AATI in Cape May last October,” Verizon’s Christopher Desmond said in a statement.

References:

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Verizon-Tests-LTE-Wireless-Delivery-Via-Drone-139332

http://www.multichannel.com/news/policy/verizon-trials-lte-drone/412098

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2017/04/06/verizon-is-testing-drone-that-would-let-keep-cell-service-during-natural-disaster.html

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