A small Skydio drone with red and blue lights hovers above a rooftop at dusk. In the foreground, a futuristic rectangular device sits on the rooftop, with the illuminated city skyline visible under a cloudy sky.

Skydio: Industry demand for next-generation drone connectivity

Leading innovators are calling on mobile operators to meet the growing need for reliable, programmable airspace connectivity.

About enterprise API demands

Across public safety, energy, and infrastructure, drones are now essential to operations. Yet industry leaders warn that mobile networks must evolve to meet their growing technical demands. Skydio, the U.S. leader in autonomous flight, has called on operators to prioritise aviation-authorised, multi-channel quality on demand (QoD) APIs. These APIs would give drones secure, low-latency access to network resources, enabling real-time command, video streaming, and situational awareness in critical scenarios. The message is clear: connectivity is no longer optional infrastructure, it is a vital enabler of safe, flexible drone deployment. GSMA Fusion supports this shift by aligning operators and enterprise around open standards, helping MNOs translate this market demand into commercial opportunity. Through collaboration, the mobile ecosystem can power the next era of connected, autonomous flight.

Problem

A red outline of a padlock is centered within a circle, surrounded by eight connected nodes, symbolizing online security, protection, or network safety on a light gray background.

Autonomous drones face unreliable network conditions that limit safety and scale.

Solution

A red line drawing of a lightbulb with circuit-like lines inside, symbolizing technology or innovation. Two sparkles appear on either side of the bulb, and short lines radiate from its top, suggesting brightness or creativity. The background is light gray.

Aviation-grade, programmable APIs provide predictable networks for mission-critical flight operations.

API service

Red line drawing of a laptop with an outline of a person on the screen, three horizontal lines next to them, and a speech bubble with three dots above their head, symbolizing online communication or a virtual meeting.

Quality on Demand (QoD) and multi-channel separation for real-time control and video.

Impact

A simple red line drawing of a rocket ship with three fins and a circular window, angled upward to the right. The rocket emits lines and dots from its base, representing thrust, on a plain light gray background.

Safer, more efficient aerial operations, and a new commercial frontier for mobile networks.

More information

What is the Skydio market demand statement?

It’s a formal industry request urging operators to make aviation-authorised QoD APIs commercially available to support drone operations.

Why should mobile operators act now?

Demand is growing rapidly in safety, infrastructure, and logistics. Early adoption of APIs like these can capture valuable enterprise partnerships.

How does GSMA Fusion help?

Fusion connects MNOs with the drone industry to define requirements, align on API standards, and accelerate adoption.

Partners

This initiative is supported by:

Download the full Statement of Requirements

Skydio Statement of Requirements