Swisscom Broadcast announced that it is creating a secure infrastructure for providing and operating automated drone flights as a service in Switzerland. Swisscom Broadcast has selected Nokia to deploy a nationwide Drones-as-a-Service network. A total of 300 Nokia Drone-in-a-Box units are planned for deployment across Switzerland to support emergency response, perimeter protection, and infrastructure inspection, which will help ensure the safety of public safety workers, Swisscom said.
Also Read: Swisscom to Transform Its Network Into a Smart Network
Drones-as-a-Service
Nokia will supply its Drone Networks, a turnkey 'Drone-in-a-Box' product that integrates the drone, a docking station, a ground control station, a payload with video and thermal cameras, related software, and service components. The solution also supports interfaces and APIs for seamless third-party integrations, such as traffic monitoring systems, video management software, dispatch solutions, and industrial inspection and process monitoring systems, Nokia said.
According to Swisscom, beginning in autumn 2024, the network will allow customers to use secure drones for infrastructure inspections, police deployments, and the protection of large-scale sites. The partnership will also enable the automation of drone operations beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS).
Key Drone Services
Swisscom said the following three drone services will initially be offered as part of the drone network launch:
- Emergency Services: Remotely operated drones will provide real-time information during emergencies, aiding in rapid and coordinated response efforts while enhancing the safety of first responders.
- Infrastructure Inspection: Drones will conduct inspections of critical infrastructure, such as power lines and bridges, improving safety and enabling early damage detection.
- Site Protection: Drones will be integrated into security systems to protect critical infrastructure and public spaces, offering automated surveillance to enhance security and reduce costs.
"The development of the nationwide drone network marks another milestone in the advancement of digital security solutions in Switzerland," Swisscom Broadcast said.
Also Read: Citymesh to Deploy Nokia 5G Connected Drone Platform in Belgium
Future Outlook
In the future, Swisscom Broadcast will enable customers to access drone infrastructure developed and produced in Europe and obtain drone services from a single source, including consulting, automated piloting, monitoring of drone flights, and secure data storage in Swisscom data centers, the official release said.
