Drones Being Used As Temporary Cell Towers In Puerto Rico

The people in Puerto Rico have been struggling to rebuild after the recently devastating Hurricane Maria ripped through the island.

For many on the island, they've gone without water and power, unable to find clean drinking water, flush toilets, or bathe—and it's been two months since the hurricane hit. Yet many are still without power, roughly 20 of the 78 municipalities in the region.

While they've been trying to restore the power, they've been suffering multiple setbacks; including blackouts and a recent resignation.

Aside from the power issues, there is also alleged to be limited food as a result of the storm, as well as issues with cell phone service. Even months after the storm, it's alleged that there are still thousands of people in shelters. Several hospitals, at least 8, on the island are still using generators in order to provide services to the people there.

Responding to the desperate need for help, dozens of organizations and many individuals have launched campaigns to try and raise funds to rebuild the region and to help those in need in Puerto Rico who lost everything during the recent storm. Millions of dollars in funds have already been raised for relief efforts and hopefully the majority of the money will end up exactly where it was intended to go.

A Temporary Drone Solution...

Just recently AT&T got the go-ahead from the US FAA to use drones to help with re-establishing cellphone service on the island. The drone that they will be using, the Pulse Vapor 55, known as the Flying COW, will act like a flying cell tower in the sky (see above).

It is able to fly roughly 200 feet above the ground and will be enabled to provide internet service, voice and data service, for those who are within at least 40 square miles. It has a max cruise endurance of roughly 60 minutes and a max hover endurance of about 45 minutes.

It's estimated that at least 39 percent of cell sites remain out of service in Puerto Rico at this time. And the Flying COW drone is going to be acting as a temporary cell tower to help users regain service until they are able to rebuild a permanent structure for the area.

Pics:
AT&T Inc via Bloomberg
via Pulse Aerospace / pulseaero.com/uas-products/vapor-55

Sources:
https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/9/26/16365994/hurricane-maria-2017-puerto-rico-san-juan-humanitarian-disaster-electricty-fuel-flights-facts
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-puerto-rico-power-company-director-resigns-20171118-story.html
http://www.kitv.com/story/36875816/8-of-69-puerto-rico-hospitals-are-still-using-generators-to-keep-their-doors-open
http://fortune.com/2017/11/17/att-drones-puerto-rico/
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-17/at-t-deploys-flying-cow-drone-for-cell-service-in-puerto-rico
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/11/17/564879549/faa-approves-drone-as-cell-phone-tower-in-the-sky-for-puerto-rico
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-puerto-rico-power-company-director-resigns-20171118-story.html

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