Telefónica showcases the use of drones to transmit video with 5G on a private network

The Port Authority and the Local Police of Málaga have collaborated with Telefónica in its development and execution. Its main focus of use is improving security through images, captured in real time, in areas where there are no fixed cameras or they do not have visibility.

Telefónica I+D and Telefonica Engineering and Security (TIS), in collaboration with the Port Authority and the Local Police of Málaga, have carried out two drone flights for video transmission on a private 5G network.

With this test, Telefónica I+D has demonstrated that the private 5G network allows the real-time transmission of high-quality and high-definition videos using the bandwidth available with this new technology. También ha puesto de relieve que esta transmisión es más segura y eficiente al efectuarse mediante una red privada y usar recursos de Edge Computing para almacenar los vídeos generados.

Para esta prueba de concepto, se ha desplegado una red privada 5G en el puerto de Málaga y en la calle Larios, y una solución de core 5G non-standalone basada en software por parte de la Universidad de Málaga (UMA), institución que también participa en el proyecto de pilotos 5G de Andalucía.

A través de la tecnología de compartición de red RANSharing MOCN, las antenas de tecnología 4G/5G comerciales de Telefónica Móviles de la zona han sido utilizadas para dar cobertura, simultaneously, tanto a la red comercial de Movistar como a la red privada, through a different network indicator (PLMN).

The drone has been piloted by personnel from Telefonica Engineering and Security (TIS), specifically a DJI Matrix 300 RTK. The drone controller has been connected to a backpack equipped with a 5G module that has made it possible to generate a video stream that can be viewed in real time and stored on a video platform developed by Telefonica R&D for this experience.

The port of Malaga has carried out a reconnaissance flight around the port with different camera angles, while the Malaga police have selected Larios Street as a point of interest to test the drone's capabilities and the quality of the video generated. The tests were attended by, in addition to the Port Authority and Local Police officers, members of the National Police and the Civil Guard, showing interest in the potential uses of the combination of drones, private 5G networks and video analytics.

Improvement of security

The main focus of the use case, for both the Local Police and the Port Authority, is the improvement of security, having real-time images in areas where there are no fixed cameras or where these do not have visibility.

It also offers the possibility of monitoring certain operations considered sensitive, for security or other reasons, such as the transport of hazardous materials, monitoring suspicious vehicles, etc.

Finally, con el uso de analítica de video, se puede aprovechar la toma panorámica y la flexibilidad que genera el uso de un dron para hacer conteo de personas, de vehículos, o control de aglomeraciones entre otras cosas.

Esta actividad se enmarca en el contexto del proyecto “5G Pilots Andalusia” (C012/19-SP) liderado por Telefónica I+D en colaboración con la Policía Local de Málaga y la Autoridad Portuaria de Málaga, e impulsado por el Ministerio de Asuntos Económicos y Transformación Digital through Red.es y co-financiado con fondos Feder.