Study of Drone-Based Telecommunications Relay Systems for Disaster-Affected Areas in Adamawa State

Unmanned aerial vehicle relay systems have emerged as a promising emergency telecommunications technology capable of rapidly restoring communications coverage in disaster-affected areas where ground infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed. This study examines the technical feasibility and operational applicability of drone-based telecommunications relay systems for disaster response in Adamawa State, North East Nigeria, a region frequently affected by flooding, communal conflicts, and displacement events that disrupt telecommunications infrastructure. A technical feasibility study methodology was employed, combining secondary analysis of UAV relay system specifications from four commercial vendors, simulation of coverage footprints using Atoll network planning software for representative Adamawa terrain profiles, and structured interviews with eight emergency management officials and telecommunications field engineers. Simulation results demonstrate that a single tethered UAV relay platform operating at 120 meters altitude can provide GSM and broadband coverage over a ground radius of approximately 15 kilometers in open terrain, sufficient to cover an average-sized Adamawa LGA. Tethered platforms provide superior persistence compared to free-flying UAVs, with uninterrupted operation limited only by ground power supply duration. Key operational challenges identified include regulatory approval requirements from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, frequency coordination with existing base stations, and maintenance expertise demands. Recommendations include development of a national emergency telecommunications aviation protocol, pre-certification of approved UAV relay systems for emergency deployment, and joint procurement by NEMA and the NCC. Keywords: drone relay, emergency telecommunications, Adamawa State, UAV, disaster response.