{"id":44375,"date":"2025-12-01T21:10:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T21:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/gsma-open-gateway\/?page_id=44375"},"modified":"2025-12-04T15:36:03","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T15:36:03","slug":"skydio","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/gsma-open-gateway\/gsma-fusion\/skydio\/","title":{"rendered":"Skydio: Industry demand for next-generation drone connectivity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Skydio: Industry demand for next-generation drone connectivity<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Leading innovators are calling on mobile operators to meet the growing need for reliable, programmable airspace connectivity.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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About enterprise API demands<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Problem<\/h5>\n\n\n
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Autonomous drones face unreliable network conditions that limit safety and scale.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Solution<\/h5>\n\n\n
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\"A<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Aviation-grade, programmable APIs provide predictable networks for mission-critical flight operations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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API service<\/h5>\n\n\n
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Quality on Demand (QoD) and multi-channel separation for real-time control and video.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Impact<\/h5>\n\n\n
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Safer, more efficient aerial operations, and a new commercial frontier for mobile networks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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More information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What is the Skydio market demand statement?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It\u2019s a formal industry request urging operators to make aviation-authorised QoD APIs commercially available to support drone operations.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Why should mobile operators act now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Demand is growing rapidly in safety, infrastructure, and logistics. Early adoption of APIs like these can capture valuable enterprise partnerships.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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How does GSMA Fusion help?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fusion connects MNOs with the drone industry to define requirements, align on API standards, and accelerate adoption.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Market snapshot<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Drones for emergency responders market size was valued $5.65 billion<\/strong> in 2025 <\/strong>and is forecast to grow to $15.47<\/strong> billion by 2035<\/strong> – Nester Research<\/a>

The GSMA Open Gateway now covers nearly 80%<\/strong> of global operator market share, providing the framework for API-based innovation – GSMAi<\/a>

The global drone market size is estimated at $73.06 billion <\/strong>in 2024<\/strong>, and projected to reach $163.60 billion <\/strong>by 2030<\/strong> – Grand View Research<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Partners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This initiative is supported by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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