DT Demonstrates Flying Base Stations

Deutsche Telekom has successfully demonstrated how mobile connectivity can be provided from the air without interruption. Following the first deployment of a flying base station in a commercial live network last year, the company has now reached the next development milestone.

Together with T-Mobile Czech Republic and Primoco UAV, Deutsche Telekom tested the seamless alternating operation of two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as flying base stations during a large public event. The successful trial brings resilient airborne mobile connectivity one step closer to practical application. “Innovation happens when new technologies prove themselves under real-world conditions. The insights gained from this successful trial point the way towards the next stages of development. Our goal remains resilient mobile connectivity for special operational scenarios,” says Jaroslav Holiš, Senior Manager Research & Trials at Deutsche Telekom.

During the recent trial in the Czech Republic, smartphones automatically connected to the active mobile cell, allowing calls and data connections to continue without interruption. “The key advantage of deploying two Primoco One 150 aircraft is the ability to provide continuous 24/7 service,” says Ladislav Semetkovský, CEO of Primoco UAV. “When one aircraft is on the ground for refuelling, the second remains in operation, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity. This makes the solution particularly valuable in crises, where reliable communication must be available around the clock.”

The trial also included satellite backhaul integrated directly into both aircraft. This enabled the UAVs to connect directly to the mobile core network without requiring an additional ground station. Together, seamless alternating operation and satellite backhaul open up new deployment scenarios with flying base stations for temporary mobile coverage. In the future, the technology could complement terrestrial networks wherever infrastructure is unavailable or damaged, or where additional capacity is needed at short notice. Possible scenarios include wildfires, floods and large outdoor events in remote locations.

Flying at altitudes between two and three kilometres, the two flying base stations provided mobile coverage across an area of up to 20 square kilometres during the field trial. They operated on the same standard frequency bands as the terrestrial network and achieved data rates of up to 100 Mbit/s using a 10 MHz channel. Network capacity can also be prioritised when required, for example for emergency responders. The aircraft used in the trial already hold extensive European certifications.