Utilizing drones at base station installation sites where direct human measurement is difficult
Improving mobile communication quality and establishing an efficient disaster network through precise measurements

SK Telecom announced on the 26th that it is deploying drones to areas where it is difficult for people to directly measure on-site conditions, such as remote mountainous regions and high-altitude areas where new highways and railways are being constructed, to install mobile communication base stations more precisely and efficiently.

When installing mobile communication base stations, using drones allows for the accurate measurement and determination of the height of antennas to be installed on base station towers, building rooftops, or roads. In addition, it has the advantage of allowing workers to visually inspect the service area at the expected height before installation, making it easy to find the optimal installation site by identifying and removing obstacles that might interfere with service in advance.

SK Telecom is currently utilizing drones capable of measuring altitude via ultrasound and allowing operators to view real-time video through dedicated goggles for the construction of new mobile communication base stations in the Gangwon region, including the newly constructed KTX section between Wonju and Gangneung, and plans to expand the use of drones nationwide through the introduction of additional equipment in the future.

Choi Seung-won, Head of Infrastructure Strategy at SK Telecom, stated, “Utilizing drones facilitates the calculation of radio wave reach and the identification of interference factors when constructing mobile communication networks in mountainous and remote areas.” He added, “We expect that accurate on-site measurements using drones will greatly aid in efficient network construction, and we plan to actively utilize drones in future mobile communication network projects, including KTX and new highway sections, as well as disaster networks.”