Finnish telecommunications equipment maker Nokia has partnered with Swiss mobile provider Swisscom to deploy a nationwide drones-as-a-service (DaaS) network across Switzerland.

The two companies will install 300 unmanned aerial vehicles operated by Swisscom Broadcast to enhance emergency response, perimeter protection and infrastructure inspection, they said in a joint statement on Thursday.

Public safety agencies such as police and fire departments will be able to request a drone flight from Swisscom Broadcast, similar to a ride-sharing service, to access real-time data and improve situational awareness during incidents.

"Wherever you don't need to send a person because it might be hazardous, you can start by sending or ordering a drone," said Thomas Eder, Nokia's head of embedded wireless.

The technology will also enable remote inspection of power lines, solar panels or oil and gas infrastructure, boosting worker safety by removing the need for personnel to access dangerous areas.

Nokia's drone-in-a-box solution integrates the unmanned vehicle, a docking station, a ground control station, cameras and software. It supports interfaces for easy integration with third-party systems like traffic monitoring or video management.

The project, which Nokia described as its second nationwide drone network deployment after Belgium, aims to support Switzerland's public safety efforts and industrial digitalisation.

Dominik Müller, chief executive officer at Swisscom Broadcast, said the partnership would "speed up the go-to-market" of the company's DaaS offering for industrial and public safety customers in the country.

Concerns remain, however, over potential drone-related issues such as surveillance, noise and safety, despite increasing regulation.

Nokia and Swisscom said they would cooperate with aviation and spectrum regulators to ensure compliance with data protection laws, including the ability to define no-fly zones.

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