The IoT is taking to the air over at Verizon, with the announcement of its new strategy to drive innovation and wide-spread adoption for in-flight wireless connectivity through its Airborne LTE Operations (ALO) initiative.
The plan has been in the works for more than two years, according to the announcement. It includes: the completion of several technical trials in locations across the U.S. using a combination of unmanned and manned aircraft on Verizon's 4G LTE network; an early adopter simulation exercise in Cape May, New Jersey that will use drones to demonstrate how the 4G LTE network can help emergency management personnel; launching a suite of new services as early as 2017 on Verizon’s ThingSpace IoT platform; introducing a new device certification process, now available, that sets forth requirements to enable access to wireless connectivity for UAV and UAS on the network; collaboration with partners like American Aerospace and Sierra Wireless for investigation of aerial long-range applications.
The company has been running trials and tests for months now. “This latest trial demonstrated how emerging technology combined with wireless networks can improve safety and security,” said Mike Haberman, VP, Network Operations, Verizon. “A nationwide reliable 4G LTE network is the foundation for the future of mobile IoT in the air.”
As a result of the successful trial, Verizon deemed its 4G LTE 700 MHz network safe for in-flight wireless connectivity. Verizon is now exploring next steps in in-flight cellular services for UAVs nationally on its 4G LTE network. Once federal regulations allow UAV operation beyond visual line of sight, new tests will focus on command-and-control cellular network communications for long-distance UAV.
“In our view, no one else in the industry has taken the kind of holistic approach of extending the reach of 4G LTE and IoT like Verizon,” said Mike Lanman, SVP, Enterprise Products and IoT, Verizon. “While other market participants are only just now getting into this space by launching trials within a limited geographical footprint, Verizon has taken a leadership role for the last two years.”
In the second quarter of 2016, revenue from Verizon’s IoT business grew 25 percent, totaling $205 million and approximately $400 million as of June 2016.
Edited by
Alicia Young
