GSMA Issues Joint Requirements Statement Calling Industry to Develop Electronic Conspicuity Services for Drones and eVTOL
The GSMA has published a Joint Requirements Statement (JRS) through its Fusion programme, calling on telecoms, aviation, security, and drone operators to collaborate on building a standardised electronic conspicuity (EC) framework for drones and eVTOL aircraft using mobile and programmable network capabilities. Founding signatories include the UK's NCSC, Ericsson, Nokia, NextNav, and Viasat, among others.
Highlights
- The GSMA published a Joint Requirements Statement (JRS) through its Fusion programme calling on telecoms, aviation, security, and drone industry stakeholders to build standardised Electronic Conspicuity (EC) services for drones and eVTOL aircraft.
- Nine founding signatories — including the UK NCSC, Ericsson, Nokia, and NextNav — have endorsed the JRS, which defines EC as the ability of a drone to be electronically detected and identified in real time.
- The JRS identifies eight strategic capabilities mobile networks must provide, including trusted identity authentication, real-time telemetry assurance, cross-border interoperability, and scalable support for high-density drone operations.
- The GSMA warns that without early industry coordination, fragmented and incompatible national approaches to drone conspicuity could become entrenched before any global interoperability standard is achieved.
- Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) are highlighted as a critical resilience layer for drone operations in remote areas, maritime environments, post-disaster zones, and national security missions where terrestrial coverage is insufficient.
GSMA Issues Industry-First Call to Action for Drone Airspace Safety Standardisation
The GSM Association (GSMA) has announced an industry-first call to action, bringing together leaders from telecommunications, aviation, security, and drone operations to "shape a safer future for drone airspace."
Joint Requirements Statement: Key Contents
Developed through the GSMA Fusion programme, the Joint Requirements Statement (JRS) sets out how mobile and programmable network capabilities can support safe, trusted, and scalable drone operations as the market continues to grow. Central to the framework is the concept of Electronic Conspicuity (EC).
Founding contributors and signatories include the UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), BCN Drone Center, Dimetor, Ericsson, Invicsa, NextNav, Nokia, Shabodi, and Viasat.
What Is Electronic Conspicuity (EC)?
The GSMA defines electronic conspicuity as "the ability of an aircraft or drone to be electronically detected and identified by other airspace users and authorities." It enables real-time sharing of position, altitude, heading, speed, and identity data, thereby enhancing situational awareness and flight safety.
The JRS emphasises that the need for standardisation is growing increasingly urgent as governments, regulators, and aviation authorities accelerate the rollout of beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations, drone first-responder programmes, autonomous aerial systems, and future crewed eVTOL air taxi services.
Warning Against Fragmentation
The group warns that without early coordination, countries risk entrenching fragmented and siloed approaches to drone conspicuity, identification, and connectivity before any globally interoperable framework can be established — a development it characterises as a significant risk to the industry.
The Strategic Role of Mobile Networks
The JRS outlines how mobile networks can evolve beyond simple connectivity providers to play a strategic role in enabling trusted low-altitude aviation. Specific capabilities identified include:
- Trusted identity and authentication
- Secure positioning and geolocation services
- Real-time telemetry data assurance
- Priority connectivity for safety-critical missions
- Auditable network-supported data streams
- Cross-border interoperability
- Scalable support for high-density drone operations
- Layered resilience through terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), enabling continuous operations beyond conventional coverage areas
Programmable Networks and API Frameworks
The group also outlines the potential role of programmable network capabilities and APIs — including the GSMA Open Gateway and CAMARA-compliant frameworks — in supporting future aviation safety, security, and operational efficiency requirements.
Particular emphasis is placed on Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) as an increasingly important resilience layer for future drone operations, especially in remote areas, maritime applications, post-disaster recovery, and national security missions where terrestrial network coverage alone may be insufficient.
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