IDC data: UAV blessing 5G Huawei to bring China Mobile to accelerate low altitude applications

In 2015, the drone market in China saw sales of nearly 100,000 units, with a market size reaching almost 300 million yuan. By 2016, the number had jumped to 390,000, and by 2019, it was expected to surpass 3 million. While the UAV industry has grown rapidly and the market has expanded significantly, the lack of effective regulation has created challenges for its sustainable development. Recently, the first "Low-altitude Digital Application Innovation Base" was officially launched in Shanghai. This initiative, developed through a collaboration between China Mobile's 5G Joint Innovation Center, the Shanghai General Aviation Industry Alliance, and Huawei WirelessXLabs, aims to accelerate regulatory exploration and application innovation in drone networking. The base provides a powerful platform for integrating drones into the low-altitude mobile communication network. According to Huang Yuhong, vice president of the China Mobile Research Institute, connecting drones to the cellular network can enhance equipment monitoring, standardize flight paths, and improve operational efficiency. This will help optimize airspace usage and unlock significant economic value. He emphasized that drone connectivity not only aids in regulation but also accelerates the development of new drone applications. Industry forecasts suggest that consumer drones will reach 16 million units by 2020, leading to a global network of tens of millions of UAVs. These drones will support continuous services such as aerial photography, delivery, and surveying, creating a vibrant and dynamic "Network Sky." The challenge of drone regulation remains pressing. The Civil Aviation Administration of China and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology have begun classifying drones based on their size, with specific regulatory requirements. For example, drones over 1.5 kg must connect to one of four designated cloud service providers, enabling tracking of flight paths and ensuring compliance with altitude and range restrictions. Chen Guangcheng, head of the General Flight Standards Division at the Civil Aviation Administration, noted that blanket "no-fly" policies are not effective solutions. Instead, the government is focusing on top-level design through the "low-altitude digital application innovation base." This initiative allows for deeper exploration of how drones and the internet of things can coexist, helping identify real-world issues and shaping future regulations. The base is located near Pudong Airport, covering a circular airspace around Fengxian Park and Lingshui Lake. Drones operate up to 120 meters, while commercial aircraft fly at least 900 meters above, ensuring safe coexistence. Wang Yufeng from Huawei WirelessXLabs highlighted that demonstrating this harmony could serve as a model for other regions. The base is equipped with a 4G+5G network, offering an advanced environment for low-altitude digital innovation. Huang Yuhong explained that transitioning to 5G will bring a leap in UAV networking, with greater bandwidth and ultra-low latency enabling more precise control. This could transform drones into versatile platforms capable of carrying a wide range of applications. Once legalized and connected, drones could revolutionize various sectors. For instance, drones with holographic cameras could allow users to experience real-time AR/VR travel previews. In firefighting, infrared-equipped drones could detect early signs of forest fires, triggering AI-based alerts. Similarly, drones could monitor snow conditions in cold regions or assist in search and rescue operations. Wang Yufeng noted that 5G applications are being nurtured in the 4G era, much like how 3G smartphones paved the way for 4G innovations. He believes that 4G can address 30-60% of current drone challenges, with 5G taking it even further. At the base’s launch, several companies showcased new drone applications, including logistics, tilt photography, thermal imaging, and solar-powered drones. These demonstrations highlight the growing potential of drone technology. China’s exploration of low-altitude airspace is leading globally. While the U.S. has invested over $10 billion in its own "air corridor" plan, China aims to digitize airspace from 10 to 300 meters across the globe. This includes ultra-wideband connections, precision control, spatial positioning, and high-precision timing—key steps toward a fully digitized low-altitude airspace. In the short term, the base hopes to accelerate drone networking, enabling the industry to gain new capabilities. Enterprises can use this platform to achieve a virtuous cycle of growth and innovation. Wang Yufeng envisions a future where drones, connected via ubiquitous networks, interact with artificial intelligence and cloud systems. This would allow computers and AI to manage daily flight operations, making the development of airspace more efficient and accessible. The goal is to create a seamless, intelligent sky where flying robots replace traditional aircraft.

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