Will Drones Beam Wi-fi from the Skies?

If a future hurricane causes power outages, regulators say they could float wireless antennas from balloons or drones to solve problems with telecommunications networks. The Federal Communications Commission is exploring the use of such airborne technology to restore communications after disasters. Beaming 3G or Wi-Fi signals may be especially helpful for first responders after a hurricane. There are still questions, however, of how the technology would be implemented. Commercial wireless providers have never used such technology to serve customers after a disaster. Drones, too, would need to comply with federal aviation regulations, and floating wireless equipment could interfere with signals at cell phone towers.