A groundbreaking trial on the Gold Coast has seen drones transformed into flying mobile towers, opening up a bold new frontier in disaster response and emergency communications.

Powered by Prospecta Utilities’ private 5G network at GemLife Gold Coast, the trial—led by Mirragin Project Isidore Pty Ltd and backed by a $75,000 Queensland Government Ignite Spark Program grant—demonstrated how tethered drones from SpookyAction can deliver rapid, high-performance connectivity in the wake of natural disasters or in areas with damaged or non-existent infrastructure.

With Starlink used for backhaul and a compact 5G core onboard, the drones acted as instantly deployable network towers—offering fast, low-latency communications to support critical emergency coordination when ground-based infrastructure isn’t an option.

“This is a game-changer,” said Grant Smith, Head of Telecommunications at Prospecta Utilities. “The ability to deliver real-time, high-bandwidth communications from the sky could revolutionise emergency response, enabling safer, smarter, and faster decision-making.”

The trial location—GemLife’s Gold Coast resort—already demonstrated the resilience of Prospecta’s network, maintaining connectivity throughout Cyclone Alfred earlier this year. This made it the ideal environment to put the drone solution through its paces.

The initiative brought together a powerhouse team of Australian innovators:

• Mirragin Project Isidore Pty Ltd coordinated the trial and secured government funding to align with Queensland’s emergency resilience goals.

• SpookyAction delivered the advanced tethered drone capable of staying airborne for long durations while maintaining stable coverage.

• Ripper Corp provided the expert pilots to ensure safe and precise flight operations.

• Powertec Telecommunications enabled backhaul via Starlink, provided mobile power and hosting trailers, and brought deep expertise in field-based network deployment.

Beyond disaster zones, this flying 5G network model could unlock new possibilities in industries like mining, agriculture, remote events, and environmental monitoring—anywhere rapid, reliable communications are needed without traditional infrastructure.

As Smith puts it: “This trial proves what’s possible when innovation meets collaboration. It shows the power of private 5G to unlock solutions that truly make a difference—on the ground, and now, in the sky.