South Korean Government is going to be the world’s first government to prepare courses exclusively for drones that carry out specific tasks such as firefighting and disaster prevention, policing, and crop-dusting. This is done in order to have drones to operate safely without any interference and confusion.
Ministry of Science, ICP and Future Planning (MSIP) is going to designate and distribute frequencies only for drones that carry out specific tasks.
These drones are drones that carry out specific tasks such as firefighting, policing, crop-dusting, and forest management. Previously these drones used ‘non-licensed frequency band’ that can be used by anybody. Because this frequency band has limited radio wave output, drones can be controlled only within 2 to 3km and there are concerns about confusion and interference.
MSIP is going to grant an approval to these drones to use radio station. Before distributing frequencies, MSIP has designated band (60MHz width) between 5091 and 5150MHz as frequencies for these drones. “60MHz width that is distributed is a band that is not used by wireless service.” said a representative for MSIP on the 11th.
This frequency band has speed over 100Mbps and can send wireless data. Its radio wave output can also be increased 10 times more than non-licensed band. With this increased radio wave output, drones will be able to fly much further.

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<■ Effect of frequencies for drones that carry out specific tasks ▲Frequency band (5091~5150MHz, 60MHz width): ∆Safe flight without any radio wave interference, smooth performance on tasks ∆Possible application of variety of purposes based on broadband (ex: control of images with ultra-high quality, control of devices for firefighting and crime prevention) ∆Increased range of control with increased radio wave output>

It is predicted drones that carry out variety of tasks such as drones that monitor situations in 3D by either expanding or reducing images with a camera with ultra-high quality and drones that carry hazardous material will start to appear.
MSIP is going to prepare detailed technical standards regarding radio wave output and electricity by end of this year and issue licenses to businesses and public organizations starting from next year. Because organizations that are going to register are not facilities-based telecommunication businesses, they do not have to spectrum pace after going through evaluations on technical requirements.
It is expected that markets for these specific drones will be vitalized as frequencies are designated and distributed to them. Certain public organizations and drone and chipset developers are currently carrying out research after receiving approvals from experimental stations.
National Police Agency has included these drones as part of next year’s bidding plan. Public organizations such as National Emergency Management, Ministry of Public Safety and Security, and Korea Aerospace Research Institute are also thinking about introducing these drones. Advantageous environment has also been prepared for related businesses such as Hanwha Techwin and XDrone.
MSIP is going to take aggressive actions in discussion for international standards by becoming the world’s first to designate and distribute frequencies for drones that carry out specific tasks.
“South Korea is the world’s fastest country to introduce innovative technologies and commercializing them.” said a representative for MSIP. “Because we are commercializing these drones with public organizations at the center, we expect that related markets will begin to open up.”
Staff Reporter Park, Jisung | jisung@etnews.com