In a groundbreaking development, Nokia and Rohde & Schwarz jointly announced the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) certification of the Nokia Drone Networks solution, marking a historic milestone as the first full certification of a native 4G/5G drone-in-a-box solution by the agency.
Certification Significance:
The FCC’s approval is a crucial validation of the industrial-grade capabilities of the Nokia Drone Networks solution, specifically designed to offer reliable Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. This achievement sets the stage for delivering proven 4G/5G drone solutions to U.S. customers, emphasizing robust connectivity for seamless drone missions.
Connectivity Prioritization:
Leveraging its extensive telecom expertise, Nokia prioritized robust and resilient connectivity in the Drone Networks solution. The certification underscores the critical importance of highly resilient connectivity for remote drone operations, real-time data streaming, and BVLOS operations across various 3GPP spectrum bands.
Innovative Features:
The Nokia Drone Networks solution introduces innovative features such as full network connection redundancy, multi-operator support, and hot failover, setting it apart in terms of operational reliability. These features address the demanding requirements of drone technology and position Nokia as a pioneer in the field.
Collaborative Partnership:
The collaboration between Nokia and Rohde & Schwarz originated in 2022 with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to integrate Rohde & Schwarz QualiPoc 4.9G/LTE and 5G network measurement capabilities into the Nokia Drone Networks platform. This collaboration expanded the use cases for customers, providing deeper insights into wireless network coverage and performance.
Certification Process:
Nokia worked closely with Rohde & Schwarz to fulfil the FCC’s rigorous requirements for research and development component testing. The R&S CMX500 radio communication tester played a pivotal role in extensive radiated and conducted emissions testing at the Nokia Bell Labs Global Product and Compliance Laboratory.
Industry Impact:
Olaf Heisch, Director of Target Accounts Mobile Network Testing at Rohde & Schwarz, emphasized the transformative capabilities of the Radio Communication Tester R&S CMX500 in shaping the 5G and drone technology landscape. The collaboration exemplifies the power of cutting-edge technology and strategic partnerships in driving industry innovation.
Market Entry Acceleration:
Looking ahead, Nokia plans to leverage its recently announced U.S. partnerships for private LTE and 5G solutions to expedite its market entry. With over 675 private wireless customers globally and a strong position in building nationwide wireless networks, Nokia aims to expand its market leadership into the U.S. with this certified industrial-grade drone-in-a-box solution.
This FCC certification signifies a significant stride towards shaping the future of industrial and public sector use cases, enhancing 5G spectrum monetization, and facilitating the nationwide deployment of drones for BVLOS operations on the 3GPP spectrum.
