Discover Top 25 Companies in Cellular Connected Drone Market: Global Share, Market Size, Revenue Report (2024–2035)
RELEASE DATE: Sep 2025 Author: Spherical InsightsRequest Free Sample Speak to Analyst
Description
According to a research report published by Spherical Insights & Consulting, The Global Cellular Connected Drone Market Size is projected to Grow from USD 1.42 Billion in 2024 to USD 13.50 Billion by 2035, at a CAGR of 22.72% during the forecast period 2025–2035. The market is driven by the increasing use of drones in a variety of industries, including agriculture, logistics and delivery, surveillance, and inspection, as well as advancements in cellular connectivity technologies like 4G and 5G, which greatly expand the operational potential of drones.
Introduction
The cellular-connected drone market describes a type of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that has a SIM card or module that connects to cellular networks (such 4G/5G) in real time. In addition to being appropriate for surveillance, delivery, inspection, and other commercial or industrial applications, it enables remote control, live video streaming, data interchange, and long-distance operation, including BVLOS flights. Improvements in industrial inspections, delivery operations, and surveillance are driving significant growth in the cellular network-connected drone sector. Additionally, the integration of drone technology with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) is being explored. Drone capabilities can be improved by AI and ML through predictive maintenance, autonomous flight, and sophisticated data analysis. Drones equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) may, for example, analyze massive amounts of agricultural data to provide information about crop health and yield forecasts. Artificial intelligence (AI) applications can also identify anomalies and potential problems in real time during industrial inspection, carry out preventative maintenance, and reduce downtime.
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Cellular Connected Drone Market Size & Statistics
- The Market Size for Cellular Connected Drone Was Estimated to be worth USD 1.42 Billion in 2024.
- The Market Size is Going to Expand at a CAGR of 22.72% between 2025 and 2035.
- The Global Cellular Connected Drone Market Size is anticipated to reach USD 13.50 Billion by 2035.
- North America is expected to generate the highest demand over the forecast period in the global cellular connected drone market.
- Asia Pacific is expected to grow the fastest during the forecast period in the cellular connected drone market.
Regional growth and demand
Asia Pacific is expected to grow the fastest during the forecast period in the global cellular connected drone market.
The region's market is powered by its big population, and the diverse industrial landscape presents a wealth of growth potential. Additionally, China's government is promoting the use of drones in a variety of sectors, including urban planning and agriculture.
North America is expected to generate the highest demand during the forecast period in the global cellular connected drone market.
This supremacy is the result of significant investments in drone research and development, as well as the early adoption of new technology. In particular, the United States is a sizable market with numerous startups, tech companies, and governmental entities actively involved in drone development.
Top 10 trends in the Cellular Connected Drone Market
- 5G Powered Connectivity & Network Evolution
- Edge Computing & Real Time AI Processing
- AI & Machine Learning for Autonomy
- BVLOS & Expanded Operational Range
- Diverse Industry Applications
- Drone as a Service (DaaS) & Ecosystem Integration
- Strategic Partnerships & Market Consolidation
- Regulatory Progress & Airspace Integration
- Cybersecurity & Communication Resilience
- Rapid Market Growth & Regional Drivers
1. 5G-Powered Connectivity & Network Evolution
Contemporary drones with cellular connectivity are increasingly reliant on 5G and other advanced networks for reliable BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) functions, high data transfer rates, and extremely low latency. Enhancing the resilience of connectivity, geolocation, and transition reliability includes upgrades like 5G Advanced (5.5G).
2. AI & Machine Learning for Autonomy
Intelligent drones driven by AI and machine learning are capable of identifying objects, autonomously navigating, forecasting their maintenance needs, and making real-time decisions, even without GPS access.
3. Strategic Partnerships & Market Consolidation
Telecom providers, drone manufacturers, and AI/software developers have joined forces to develop adaptable and integrated solutions that will lead to innovative concepts and enhanced possibilities.
4. Regulatory Progress & Airspace Integration
Government regulatory bodies are advancing frameworks to facilitate BVLOS operations, Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM), and drone integration into national airspace, with significant developments like the FAA’s 2024 reauthorization pushing these forward.
5. Edge Computing & Real-Time AI Processing
Drones are now utilizing edge computing to handle data processing either onboard or at the network's edge, allowing for real-time analysis and autonomous actions essential for important applications such as surveillance or infrastructure inspection.
Empower your strategic planning:
Stay informed with the latest industry insights and market trends to identify new opportunities and drive growth in the cellular connected drone market. To explore more in-depth trends, insights, and forecasts, please refer to our detailed report.
Top 25 Companies Leading the Cellular Connected Drone Market
- DJI
- Parrot SA
- 3D Robotics Inc.
- AeroVironment Inc.
- Insitu Inc.
- Intel Corporation
- AT&T Inc.
- Vodafone Group Plc
- China Mobile Limited
- Telefonica S.A.
- Ericsson AB
- Nokia Corporation
- Thales Group
- Airbus S.A.S
- Drone Base
- China Mobile
- Ericsson
- Huawei Technologies
- Qualcomm
- Samsung
- T-Mobile
- Verizon
- ZTE Corporation
- Terra Drone
- XAG Drones
1. DJI
Headquarters: Guangdong, China
DJI offers cellular connectivity for some of its drones through a device called the DJI Cellular Dongle. This accessory enhances a drone's capabilities by allowing it to connect to a 4G cellular network. This is particularly useful for professional and enterprise applications, but also offers benefits for recreational pilots. The DJI Cellular Dongle is a small device that plugs into a compatible DJI drone. It requires a nano-SIM card, which the user must purchase from a local mobile network operator. An "Enhanced Transmission" service is often included for a set period, after which a subscription may be required. DJI has released different versions of the Cellular Dongle, including the DJI Cellular Dongle and the newer DJI Cellular Dongle 2.
2. Drone Base
Headquarters: Santa Monica, United States
Zeitview is the new name for the business that was formerly known as DroneBase. From a network of on-demand drone pilots, its business strategy has changed to include advanced inspection software and services for sustainable energy and critical infrastructure. Drones with cellular connections are just one of Zeitview's (formerly DroneBase) many tools for gathering and analyzing data. Their capacity to carry out extensive, automated inspections and offer real-time insights to their enterprise clients depends on the cellular connection. A truly autonomous and scalable drone solution is made possible by the combination of cellular connectivity and a drone base (DIB system), which allows a single operator to oversee a fleet of drones carrying out missions over a large geographic area.
3. XAG Drones
Headquarters: Guangdong, China
XAG plays a significant role in the agricultural drone sector, with cellular connectivity being a fundamental aspect of their technology for several important reasons. In contrast to consumer drones, XAG's offerings are intended for professional, extensive, and frequently remote agricultural activities. Cellular connectivity isn't merely a supplemental aspect; it's a crucial element of the ecosystem, enabling their drones to function independently and at scale. It revolutionizes farming practices by allowing precise, extensive area management and remote oversight, which is crucial for contemporary, advanced agriculture. This is the application that connects everything. The application, capable of operating on a smartphone or a specific controller, utilizes the cellular network to interact with the drones and the XAG cloud platform. It serves as the main center for mission planning, oversight, and data administration.
4.Terra Drone
Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Terra Drone does not operate as a typical drone producer like DJI or XAG. Rather, it is an international supplier of industrial drone services and solutions. Their proficiency is in utilizing drones, frequently from different makers, to deliver a diverse array of services, emphasizing advanced technologies such as cellular connectivity to facilitate more intricate and scalable operations. Terra Drone has partnered with firms such as LG U+ and KDDI in South Korea and Japan, respectively, to create and showcase drone control systems based on 4G LTE technology. Terra Drone, cellular connectivity serves not merely as a function of an individual drone but as an essential component of the digital framework that enables their high-value industrial drone solutions to be implemented globally. It enables them to progress from basic, single-instance drone flights to scalable, automated, and remotely controlled drone operations. Terra Drone is a frontrunner in UTM, the system designed for overseeing drone traffic, particularly in intricate or congested airspace. Cellular connectivity forms the foundation of these systems.
5. Thales Group
Headquarters: Paris, France
Thales Group, a worldwide technology leader in aerospace, defense, and digital security sectors, is not a producer of drones that sells to the general public. Rather, their participation in the cellular-connected drone sector centers on delivering the essential infrastructure and software that facilitate safe, scalable, and secure drone operations. Their knowledge lies in air traffic management (ATM), cybersecurity, and communication systems. Thales is a key contributor in creating UTM systems to handle the growing amount of drone traffic. They are applying their years of expertise in conventional air traffic management to the drone environment. Cellular connectivity serves as the foundation for these systems. Thales merges its extensive knowledge in air traffic management and aerospace technology with its digital security skills to develop a complete ecosystem for safe and secure drone operations, where cellular connectivity is a fundamental enabling technology for sophisticated applications.
Are you ready to discover more about the Cellular Connected Drone market?
The report provides an in-depth analysis of the leading companies operating in the global cellular connected drone market. It includes a comparative assessment based on their product portfolios, business overviews, geographical footprint, strategic initiatives, market segment share, and SWOT analysis. Each company is profiled using a standardized format that includes:
Company Profiles
- DJI
- Business Overview
- Company Snapshot
- Products Overview
- Company Market Share Analysis
- Company Coverage Portfolio
- Financial Analysis
- Recent Developments
- Merger and Acquisitions
- SWOT Analysis
- Parrot SA
- 3D Robotics Inc.
- AeroVironment Inc.
- Insitu Inc.
- Intel Corporation
- AT&T Inc.
- Vodafone Group Plc
- China Mobile Limited
- Telefonica S.A.
- Ericsson AB
- Nokia Corporation
- Thales Group
- Airbus S.A.S
- AT&T Inc.
- China Mobile
- Ericsson
- Huawei Technologies
- Qualcomm
- Samsung
- T-Mobile
- Verizon
- ZTE Corporation
- Terra Drone
- XAG Drones
Conclusion
The worldwide market for cellular connected drones is swiftly growing, expected to rise from USD 1.42 billion in 2024 to USD 13.50 billion by 2035, with a strong CAGR of around 22.72%. This increase is fueled by rising drone usage in areas like agriculture, logistics, surveillance, and industrial inspections, bolstered by improvements in cellular connectivity technologies such as 4G and 5G that facilitate real-time management, long-range operation, and data transmission. Key players in this sector, such as DJI, Thales Group, Terra Drone, and XAG Drones, provide supportive skills in air traffic management, industrial drone services, and agricultural drone technologies, respectively. Major market trends encompass 5G connectivity for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations, artificial intelligence and machine learning for autonomous drones and data analysis, edge computing for instantaneous data processing, and regulatory advancements supporting the safe incorporation of drones into airspace. Geographically, North America leads because of early technology adoption and significant R&D investments, while Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing region, driven by government programs and a varied industrial foundation.
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