"Not only do we aim to analyze wide-scalable LTE optimization for safe, legal commercial SUAS use cases with beyond line-of-sight connectivity, but the results can help inform positive developments in drone regulations and 5G specifications as they pertain to wide-scale deployment of numerous drone use cases," said Qualcomm CTO Matt Grob in a statement.

AT&T will kick off the drone tests this month at Qualcomm's San Diego headquarters, which houses an FAA-approved drone Flight Center. That'll allow it to see how the drones work in a variety of environments, including residential, commercial, barren and FAA-controlled spaces.