MoNIfly · Project

Drone Traffic Management System Using Existing Mobile Networks for Safe Low-Altitude Flights

transportTestedTRL 5

Imagine millions of delivery drones buzzing around cities with no traffic rules — crashes, privacy violations, near-misses with helicopters. MoNIfly built a kind of "air traffic control for drones" that piggybacks on existing mobile phone networks instead of requiring expensive new infrastructure. It uses virtual fences (geo-fences) that can move in real time — like invisible walls that keep drones away from airports, accident scenes, or even a skier racing downhill. The team built actual hardware modems that plug into drones and connect them to LTE networks, then tested the whole system with real flights.

By the numbers

consortium partners from industry, university, and drone operations

75%

industry participation ratio in the consortium

countries involved (Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands)

EUR 2,021,250

EU contribution to the project

TRL 4-5

target technology readiness level (up from TRL 2)

total project deliverables produced

demonstrator deliverables including hardware prototypes

EASA drone categories addressed (open, specific, certified)

The business problem

What needed solving

Managing low-flying commercial and recreational drones safely is becoming critical as drone numbers grow rapidly. Without a cost-effective traffic management system, drone operators face collision risks, privacy violations, and regulatory barriers that block commercial deployment. Current solutions require expensive dedicated infrastructure rather than leveraging the mobile networks already covering most populated areas.

The solution

What was built

The team built a prototype UTM modem (hardware connecting drones to LTE networks with GPS and barometer sensors), dynamic geo-fencing interfaces for creating static and moving no-fly zones, and a complete RPAS prototype with the UTM modem integrated and flight-tested. Two rounds of validation testing were conducted with coordination from national aviation authorities.

Audience

Who needs this

Drone delivery and logistics operators scaling up urban operationsMobile network operators seeking new revenue from LTE/5G infrastructureAirport and airspace authorities managing low-altitude drone trafficEvent security companies protecting venues from unauthorized dronesUrban air mobility companies developing passenger drone services

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Drone delivery and logistics

any

Target: Drone delivery operators and logistics companies

If you are a drone delivery operator dealing with the challenge of managing dozens or hundreds of drones in urban airspace safely — this project developed a UTM modem that connects drones to existing LTE mobile networks for real-time tracking and geo-fencing. The system was validated with real flight tests coordinated with local and national authorities. It reduces collision risk with obstacles, other drones, and manned aircraft without requiring you to build dedicated communication infrastructure.

Telecommunications

enterprise

Target: Mobile network operators looking to monetize 5G/LTE infrastructure

If you are a telecom provider looking for new revenue streams from your existing mobile network — this project demonstrated how LTE infrastructure can serve as the backbone for drone traffic management. Nokia participated directly in the consortium, proving the technical feasibility. With drone numbers expected to grow dramatically, offering UTM-as-a-service over your network creates a recurring revenue opportunity tied to every commercial drone flight.

Event management and public safety

mid-size

Target: Sports event organizers and emergency response agencies

If you are an event organizer or emergency services coordinator needing to keep unauthorized drones away from stadiums, accident scenes, or VIP areas — this project built dynamic geo-fencing technology that creates fast-moving virtual no-fly zones. The system supports high-dynamic update rates, meaning the protected zone can move with a racing car or a downhill skier in real time. It was tested in validation processes coordinated with national authorities.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to implement this drone traffic management system?

The project operated on an EU contribution of EUR 2,021,250 across 8 partners over 3 years. Individual deployment costs are not specified in the project data. Since the system leverages existing mobile network infrastructure, operational costs should be significantly lower than building dedicated drone surveillance networks.

Can this scale to manage thousands of drones simultaneously?

The system was designed to work over existing mobile network infrastructure (LTE), which already handles millions of simultaneous connections. The project validated the concept in a relevant environment, reaching TRL 4-5. Scaling to commercial volumes would require further development beyond the project's validation stage.

Who owns the intellectual property and can I license this technology?

The consortium of 8 partners across 4 countries (Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands) jointly developed the technology. IP is typically shared among consortium members under Horizon 2020 rules. Licensing inquiries should be directed to the coordinator, TU Braunschweig, or the relevant industrial partner depending on the specific component needed.

Does this meet current aviation regulations for drone operations?

The project was designed around the 2016 EASA drone categories (open, specific, and certified), targeting open and specific category operations. Validation processes included coordination with local and national aviation authorities. Regulatory compliance for commercial deployment would need to be verified against current EU U-space regulations that have evolved since the project ended in 2020.

How long would integration take with our existing drone fleet?

The project produced a prototype UTM modem — a hardware device that connects to LTE networks and onboard sensors (GPS, barometer). Based on the deliverable descriptions, integration involves fitting drones with this modem and customizing navigation for the UTM environment. The RPAS prototype with integrated UTM modem demonstrates this is technically feasible.

What was actually tested and validated?

The consortium conducted two formal validation processes involving safety and security measurements, coordinated test flights with local and national authorities, and partner reviews. A complete RPAS prototype with integrated UTM modem was built and flown in the MoNIfly UTM environment. The project aimed to reach TRL 4 (validated in lab) to TRL 5 (validated in relevant environment).

Is there ongoing technical support or further development?

The project closed in May 2020. Based on available project data, there is no indication of a follow-up project. However, TU Braunschweig and the industrial partners (including Nokia's involvement in mobile infrastructure) remain active in their respective fields. Contact the coordinator for information on current status and commercialization plans.

Consortium

Who built it

The MoNIfly consortium is strongly industry-oriented with 6 out of 8 partners (75%) from industry, spanning 4 European countries. The partnership is strategically assembled: Nokia brings mobile network infrastructure expertise, Aerial Tronics Group contributes drone manufacturing capability, and UAV International provides real-world drone operations experience. The two universities — Royal Military Academy Brussels and TU Braunschweig — supply air traffic management and drone operations research. With 2 SMEs in the mix and a EUR 2,021,250 budget, this is a compact but well-balanced team covering the entire value chain from network infrastructure through drone hardware to flight operations. For a business looking to adopt this technology, the presence of Nokia as a major industrial partner adds credibility and suggests potential for integration with commercial mobile networks.

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET BRAUNSCHWEIGCoordinator · DE
ROBODRONE INDUSTRIES SROparticipant · CZ
ECOLE ROYALE MILITAIRE - KONINKLIJKE MILITAIRE SCHOOLparticipant · BE
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL SROparticipant · CZ
NOKIA SOLUTIONS AND NETWORKS GMBH &CO KGparticipant · DE

How to reach the team

TU Braunschweig (Germany) coordinated this project. Contact their Institute of Flight Guidance for technology transfer inquiries.

Order a report on this consortium See TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET BRAUNSCHWEIG profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore how MoNIfly's drone traffic management technology could work for your operations? SciTransfer can arrange a direct introduction to the research team and help you evaluate licensing or collaboration options.

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