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A new consortium, led by Skyports Drone Services (Skyports), has launched to explore how 5G services can support the deployment of drone operations in rural areas. Funded by the UK Space Agency, the Connectivity for Remote Orkney Future Transport (CROFT) project will explore how space technologies can be leveraged to establish 5G-enabled drone deliveries for remote island communities in Orkney, Scotland.
The project brings together Skyports, Satellite Applications Catapult, Stratospheric Platforms (UK) Limited, Cranfield University, and West Midlands 5G. The consortium will explore the feasibility of establishing 5G powered drone deliveries with the view to improving access and connectivity for Orkney’s remote communities.
The focus of the 22-month-long project is the development of Sky5, a 5G-enabled drone service. This solution will allow for the low-latency, high-density communication and coverage that is required by uncrewed aerial systems. The project will also define the functional and performance requirements needed to develop scalable, 5G drone deliveries in harsh, rural environments.
Alex Brown, Director of Skyports Drone Services, said, “The roll-out of 5G presents a huge opportunity for drone operations. With 5G we’re unlocking ever more advanced capabilities, benefitting from rapid data exchange between our remote operations centre and the aircraft. We stay connected to our aircraft at all times throughout our journeys using both satellite connectivity and cellular signals. This is critical for our beyond visual lne of sight (BVLOS) flights, which allow us to reach more people and communities – as we will demonstrate with this project.”
Henny Sands, Head of Telecommunications at the UK Space Agency said that the CROFT project shows how space technologies can help develop services that improve people’s lives. “In this instance, using drones with advanced satellite and 5G connectivity to deliver essential supplies to rural areas, often in challenging conditions.”
The project is funded by the UK Space Agency’s Connecting People Call, part of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) Telecoms Space for 5G & 6G Strategic Programme. The programme invited proposals from industry and academia to develop sustainable 5G/6G technologies, products and services that bring benefits beyond the Space Sector.
Skyports has conducted projects across Scotland since 2020 to test the feasibility of deploying drones for middle- and last-mile logistics. This is the second Orkney-based project for Skyports. It follows the launch of inter-island drone deliveries for the Royal Mail, which the company launched in August 2023.