AT&T, Intel hope 4G will let drones fly higher and further than ever - CNET

AT&T has ambitions to connect everything from cars to whole cities. So why not drones, too?

The Dallas wireless carrier and chip giant Intel said Monday that they would partner to investigate adding 4G LTE connectivity on drones, which would be a key element in getting them to fly higher and further than ever before. The companies will offer an early look at their work at the Intel Drone Zone here in Barcelona during the Mobile World Congress trade show.

The agreement marks yet another step in drone technology, which grown in popularity as more consumers take up amateur flying and as businesses look at how these pint-sized unmanned aerial vehicles can help with tasks like construction, film-making and deliveries. Most drones use short-range signals like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or radio airwaves. By tapping a nationwide cellular network, the drone could theoretically go as far as its batteries will let it.

"We're using the network to transfer important information, images and video quickly and efficiently -- far beyond the boundaries of short-range connectivity," said Chris Penrose, who heads up connected devices for AT&T, in a statement.

Since the US Federal Aviation Administration restricts long-distance drone flights, the companies are still in the testing stages. The hope is to have drones ready when the authorities ease the rules.