ZTE Claims the World’s First Unmanned Helicopter Wireless Station for Emergency Connectivity in Flood Relief

In July 2023, Tianjin, Hebei,Beijing and other regions in China endured an unrelenting 72-hour deluge, courtesy of Super Typhoon Doksur. The unprecedented rainfall shattered records and wreaked havoc, triggering flooding, hampering daily life, disrupting public safety, and causing substantial property damage. Among the affected areas, Mentougou district, with its unique terrain, bore the brunt of the disaster. In such times of crisis, the region's lifeline - its telecommunications network - became paramount for restoring essential infrastructure.

Flood relief efforts swung into action as telecom operators and vendors deployed emergency response teams, each with a specific role to play. Among them, the Unmanned Helicopter Wireless Station demonstrated its prowess in delivering vital emergency communication support.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) took charge, dispatching a ZTE Unmanned Helicopter Wireless Station to the affected areas immediately. This mobile site, equipped with signals from all local telecom operators including China Telecom, China Mobile, and China Unicom, swiftly restored communication services in Wangping Town and Tanzhe Temple Town.

Jiang Xiangyang, Chief Marketing Engineer at ZTE, provided insights into the innovative approach. "Mentougou's complex mountainous terrain and severe flooding had damaged communication infrastructure," he explained. ZTE, alongside local operators and partners, worked tirelessly to recover mobile services by deploying ZTE Unmanned Helicopter Wireless Station. They extended aerial mobile networks to disaster-stricken communities for days, ensuring the reestablishment of vital communication channels.

From the planning stage to real-life deployment, ZTE's efforts in emergency communication solutions have been extensive. This journey encompasses the development of tethered UAS mobile sites, nomadic mobile sites, backpack mobile sites, and, most notably, the multi-operator Unmanned Helicopter Wireless Station. In partnership with key industry players, this initiative has harnessed cutting-edge technology to deliver critical communication services in challenging environments.

ZTE engineers setting satellite antenna on the rotors of the helicopter

The Unmanned Helicopter Wireless Station offers a wide range of features, including the ZTE Unisite Intelligent full-band and multi-operator mobile base station system. It utilizes a petrol-driven helicopter with long-range capabilities and a high-throughput Ka-band satellite terminal. This innovative solution has undergone extensive testing, and flight data highlights the helicopter's impressive capabilities, covering an area of nearly 80 square kilometers, with an impressive six-hour aerial endurance. It provides voice, SMS, and internet services for approximately 2,400 users simultaneously during the Mentougou Relief operations.

The success of this initiative was further demonstrated by its swift takeoff, ability to function in extreme weather conditions, and flexibility in adapting to diverse terrains. Additionally, it can support public voice broadcasts and enhance emergency communication applications, a testament to ZTE's creative integration of mobile and satellite communication technologies with high-performance unmanned helicopter technology.

As the Unmanned Helicopter Wireless Station was prepared for its next mission, it became clear that this innovative solution has a bright future in shaping the landscape of emergency communications for natural disasters worldwide.

In the face of unprecedented natural disasters, the innovative technology of ZTE's Unmanned Helicopter Wireless Station emerges as a beacon of hope. Swift deployment, remarkable capabilities, and adaptability in adverse conditions have marked this solution as a game-changer in disaster relief. With a commitment to continuous improvement and a vision of enhancing mobility and versatility, ZTE, alongside its dedicated partners, is poised to play an even more significant role in emergency communications worldwide.