TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs is developing a high-altitude communications system using domestically produced drones, CNA reported Saturday.

High-altitude communications platforms integrate communication systems with unmanned vehicles. They can remain in a designated airspace for extended periods, providing wide-area connectivity and effectively serving as aerial base stations.

The ministry's drone-based system aims to enhance connectivity, particularly in emergencies and remote areas. Equipped to carry lightweight commercial base station equipment, the drones are expected to reach altitudes of up to 2,000 meters and cover a radius of 20 kilometers.

Preliminary technical verification is planned for the third quarter of next year, according to ministry official Tseng Wen-fang (曾文方).

High-altitude platforms like drones can maintain communications when ground infrastructure is damaged, such as during typhoons or other natural disasters. The new drone system is designed for mobility and rapid deployment, complementing existing solutions such as tethered balloons and airships.

Last year, the ministry launched Taiwan’s first tethered balloon base station, which reaches 800 meters and covers an 11-kilometer radius. While tethered helium balloons can remain aloft for long periods, their reliance on imported helium makes them costly, Tseng said.

Drones, in contrast, are lighter, more mobile, and increasingly cost-effective, providing a practical option for telecom operators and disaster relief agencies.

The ministry plans to eventually commercialize high-altitude communications solutions and has engaged telecom operators to provide base station equipment for testing. Tseng said next year’s drone verification will offer an important reference for operators planning deployment schedules.