Wireless Data Transmission Will Cost Up To $80 Per Month

For UAV operators who wish to connect their aircraft directly to the Internet so that they can live stream video and other data from their aircraft, Verizon will soon begin offering data plans specifically for drones.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Verizon's plans will begin at $25 per month for one gigabyte of data up to $80 per month for 10 gigs. The prices are similar to Verizon's consumer data plans for smartphones.

Such connections could be a key link in BVLOS operation, according to the report. They are calling their service Airborne LTE Operations, or ALO. Verizon says that a direct Internet connection could help move autonomous delivery drones "from the white board to the tarmac."

The company sees ALO as being particularly useful for transmitting data from drones inspecting oil and gas pipelines, engaged in agriculture, or surveying wildfires.

Longer-term, Verizon says it hopes to be able to use drones as temporary flying cell phone towers to fill in gaps in its network caused by natural disasters.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.verizon.com