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October 24, 2016

How do Drones Impact Telecommunication Towers?

Telecommunication TowersDrones, also known by unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, are not just for recreational use any longer. Many of us have heard of UAV used in military technologies, as well as, Amazon’s most recent drone plans. Their “quadcopter” delivery army of the future. They’re changing how we live and how we work…they’re changing the world. Drones impact telecommunication towers already, while future effects are still to be determined. They are delivering data for many industries including construction, energy and transportation.

Unmanned Aerial Systems and Their Impact on Telecommunication Towers

Drone-delivered data has big potential. From using the devices to inspect telecommunication towers for damage to testing the performance of its wireless network many businesses are phasing in a drone program to run their operations more efficiently.

UAVs are enhancing the operations- allowing the wireless infrastructure industry to see asset tags, document the appendages of the tower, offer a 3-D CAD modeling, identify any possible errors with the tower and even carry signal analyzers to measure the radiation patterns of the tower antennas.

RCWireless reports,

“Recognizing the value of drones to the cell tower industry, the National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) has established an unmanned aerial systems committee to monitor trends and regulatory concerns and to make recommendations about best practices for drone use in the tower industry. The committee works closely with the Federal Aviation Administration, which is still in the process of drafting rules for commercial drone use.”

The New Regulations Are Here. How Do Drones Impact Telecommunication Towers?

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules governing commercial use of vehicles took effect earlier this summer, known as Part 107. The Government mandates that operators keep the vehicle within visual line of sight. They can only fly during the day and maintain a flying level below 400 feet above the ground.

The FAA says,

“These new regulations work to harness new innovations safely, to spur job growth, advance critical scientific research and save lives. ‘We are part of a new era in aviation, and the potential for unmanned aircraft will make it safer and easier to do certain jobs, gather information, and deploy disaster relief,’ said U.S. Transportation Secretary, Anthony Foxx.”

Businesses must register there participating drones. Drones must also weigh less than 55 pounds and can’t exceed 100 miles per hour. Commercial drone operations looking to use drones for purposes beyond these regulations obtain a special exemption. That being exemption Section 333, from the federal regulatory agency.

Technology is Rapidly Evolving

We’ve come a long way, but technology is always evolving. As many as 600,000 commercial UAVs are reported to be operational within a year of Part 107 becoming the effective rule regarding small UAS operation. This is a sizable jump from the more than 5,000 commercial UAV operations. These were active prior to this new rule.

No matter how complex or expansive your project is, our experts at KMB have the telecommunications engineering skills required to ensure a cost-effective design to meet your specific deployment goals.