Temporary waiver will allow DOT to measure airborne wireless coverage for command and control, detect and avoid, Remote ID and other aviation applications.
The Federal Communications Commission has removed a regulatory obstacle to nationwide testing of commercial wireless networks aboard drones and general aviation aircraft.
The FCC order, effective September 11, supports the Department of Transportation’s Mobile Network Aviation Assessment Program, or MNAAP. The program will measure wireless signal quality at different locations and altitudes across the contiguous United States.
DOT wants to determine whether commercial networks can support safety-related aviation services. Potential applications include UAS command and control, autonomous detect and avoid, electronic conspicuity, Remote ID, and counter-UAS detection and identification.
The waiver does not authorize general airborne cellular use. It creates a limited test environment for participants approved by DOT.
Why the Waiver Was Necessary
FCC rules permit airborne communications in some commercial spectrum bands but prohibit them in others. Modern wireless devices automatically select available frequencies based on network conditions. Pilots and drone operators generally cannot control which band a device uses.
An airborne device could therefore transmit over restricted spectrum during testing. The temporary waiver removes that obstacle for authorized MNAAP participants through October 1, 2029.
How the Testing Will Work
DOT may authorize up to 2,000 general aviation pilots at one time to use the MNAAP app on standard smartphones and other wireless devices. The app will measure mobile broadband service and report the results to a centralized DOT database.
The program may also deploy dedicated modules aboard up to 200 UAS at one time. These modules will support targeted testing across different locations and altitudes.
Together, the two approaches could provide a broader picture of airborne network performance. General aviation aircraft can collect data across large areas, while drones can test specific operating environments.
The program covers numerous commercial spectrum bands, including 600 MHz, 700 MHz, FirstNet Band 14, 800 MHz cellular, AWS, PCS and CBRS.
Testing Networks Built for Ground Users
Existing cellular infrastructure could provide an important communications layer for expanded drone operations. However, networks built mainly for users on the ground may perform differently in the air.
Coverage can change with altitude, terrain, location and antenna placement. Ground-based coverage maps therefore do not establish whether a connection will remain reliable throughout a drone mission.
MNAAP will collect real-world data about those conditions. The results could help federal agencies identify where commercial networks perform well and where technical gaps remain.
The waiver does not establish that cellular networks already meet aviation safety requirements. It allows DOT to gather the evidence needed to make that assessment.
The broader MNAAP initiative will also examine satellite direct-to-device services and sidelink technology. The FCC order, however, addresses transmissions over commercial mobile broadband spectrum.
A Limited Authorization
Only DOT-approved participants may use the MNAAP app or UAS modules. The app can access only information normally available to consumer devices and may report data no more than once every two seconds.
UAS modules must complete the FCC equipment authorization process and receive approval through mobile providers’ certification programs. They cannot be transferred and must be decommissioned when the waiver expires. Participants may not cause harmful interference.
Informing Future UAS Connectivity Policy
The FCC plans to use lessons from MNAAP as it considers greater commercial use of spectrum for UAS.
The program has particular relevance for routine beyond visual line of sight operations. Scalable BVLOS missions will require communications that remain reliable across changing locations, altitudes and network boundaries.
MNAAP will not resolve every question surrounding cellular-connected drones. It could provide the national, real-world data regulators need to determine whether commercial wireless networks can become part of the safety infrastructure for more complex drone operations.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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