Digitel Talk
Digitel Talk is a podcast promoting doing good in the mobile, telecoms and related technology industries. The heart of the podcast is about the people, what they have done, how it has affected them, others and the planet and what great things we can expect.
We aim to share the stories of those champions who want to help others and have found a way of using mobile, telecoms and technology to achieve this.
As hosts who work in telecoms, if nothing else, the podcast aims to broaden the audience for these projects with hopes it might resonate with others who will be inspired to do something good themselves.
Digitel Talk
Safety Drones from Citymesh Saving Lives, Property and the Environment
In this episode of Digitel Talk, host Ian Ginn speaks with Hans Similon, General Manager of Citymesh Safety Drone, about the world’s first nationwide drone network designed to support emergency services. Hans shares how Citymesh deploys drones-in-a-box across Belgium, ready to take off within 90 seconds to assist fire brigades and police with real-time HD and thermal imaging.
Key highlights:
- World-first innovation: 70 drones deployed nationwide, controlled via 4G/5G with dual-modem redundancy.
- Impact on emergency response: Scaling interventions up or down based on live aerial insights.
- Safety measures: BVLOS operations, automated return-to-home, and parachute deployment for risk mitigation.
- Connectivity automation: Role of Inmanta in managing private and public networks for reliability.
- Future vision: Dual-use cases for national safety and security, and potential NATO-wide coverage.
Episode sponsored by IFG Consulting Europe– Supporting telcos with tech strategy, digitisation and growth.
Guest Bio:
Hans Similon is a purpose-driven innovation leader with over two decades of experience at the intersection of technology, customer experience, and business development. Currently General Manager of the Safety Drone division at Citymesh, he leads pioneering work in “drone-in-a-box” solutions that provide real-time support to emergency services across Belgium.
The Citymesh Safety Drone Network is more than a drone fleet—it is a strategic infrastructure layer that enhances public safety today, and national security tomorrow. It provides Belgium with a sovereign, scalable, and smart serial solution ready for any scenario.
Podcast credits:
- Host: Ian Ginn
- Editor: Francis Wright
- Designer: Rebecca Ginn
- Project manager: Ivana Duric
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