The age of drones: new digital ecosystem for connectivity and economic growth

The drone industry is emerging in every sector of the economy. Delivering services in urban areas, collecting data for a wide range of industries, infrastructure inspections, precision agriculture, transportation and logistics are just some of the possible uses of drone technology. At the latest GSMA Europe Mobile Meetings Series on “The age of drones: new digital ecosystem for connectivity and economic growth”, participants discussed about the regulatory challenges, the essential requirements for civil drones and the importance of mobile connectivity.

The drone services market is expected to grow substantially: estimates vary between €10bn by 2035 and €127bn for the coming years. Mobile operators are uniquely positioned to become key players in this market: cellular connectivity is an important enabler as it supports key requirements of the drone ecosystem, such as control and security. Operators can help ensure the safety of commercial drones and to help mitigate privacy, safety and security risks. This makes mobile networks the preferred solution, offering drones superior wide area, high speed and secure connectivity.

Given that drones are more and more present in our daily lives, participants agreed that this emerging market creates new opportunities for European businesses as well as significant challenges to ensure the safety of citizens. If the air traffic is not effectively managed and regulated, accidents could happen or drones could be used to cause harm.
Participants extensively discussed about the type of requirements (i.e. design and operation) for unmanned aircraft to ensure privacy and safety. Some of the participants stressed that setting strict barriers is premature since the drone market is not fully developed and this should be a ‘learning by doing’ process.

All the participants agreed that collaboration between the mobile sector, the drone industry and policymakers is highly desirable to ensure citizens’ safety and privacy. Regarding the existing mobile capabilities and data sharing, participants agreed that mobile networks can provide the requested security elements, as well as performance benefits and support to law enforcement.

With respect to spectrum policy, some participants called upon national and European authorities to prevent unnecessary barriers to the use of licensed mobile spectrum for drone use and to work together to build a EU harmonized market for unmanned aircraft operations. The participants also discussed the emerging role of insurance companies – which are already providing services related to drones’ ecosystem – and the question of liability.

To avoid any fragmentation along national boundaries of the EU drone services market, participants agreed on the need for a closer cooperation between European and national authorities and to build a clear EU framework where the drones market can be safely developed. Some Member States are already legislating in this field. Therefore, it is critical for the functioning of the Internal Market and the safety of citizens that EU policymakers act now to create a united ecosystem.

 


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