How to empower smart cities with 5G streetworks

By Fergal Lawlor*, CEO, Alpha Wireless

As 5G adoption continues to escalate, more municipalities worldwide are looking to harness the latest mobile technologies to power a range of smart city use cases. With possible benefits ranging from reduced energy usage and increased public safety, to more efficient city services and improved traffic flow, the prospects are tempting.

Realising a true smart city vision, however, requires greater access to 5G service, increased bandwidth for data-hungry devices and always-on connectivity for Internet of Things (IoT) devices. In order for mobile network operators (MNOs) to enable all of these capabilities, they need to densify their 5G networks, moving infrastructure closer to subscribers and IoT devices by installing smart small cell configurations at street level.

Yet, city residents will only accept so many deployments and disruptions in dense urban environments. Moreover, cluttered network equipment installations can run afoul of beautification efforts or historic preservation guidelines in some cities. To address these challenges, new form factors and aesthetically pleasing telecoms concealment solutions are being deployed in major cities to minimise unattractive 5G deployments.

Hidden in plain sight

Recent network planning advancements and smaller component technologies are enabling MNOs to hide 5G network infrastructure in plain sight. Unlike some unsightly network deployments where antennas and radios are bolted onto existing lamp posts, buildings or streetlights, new more streamlined designs integrate network components into functional, unobtrusive, telecoms-enabled streetworks.

For example, connected waste and recycling bins integrating 5G radio access network (RAN) equipment and high-performance antennas serve the dual-purpose of providing smart city services and 5G connectivity. This type of smart bin solution not only enables the telecoms equipment to be discreetly concealed, but the enclosure is equipped with sensors that allow real-time status to be communicated to waste collection crews for optimised efficiency.

Likewise, telecoms-enabled light pole solutions can be used to conceal network infrastructure in a podium at the base of the pole, instead of retrofitting existing streetlights with externally mounted radio equipment. With the integration of sensors or cameras, this type of solution also can be used for public safety or smart environmental monitoring to map air quality data.

Operation Smart Dublin

Like many urban capitals, the Irish city of Dublin is experiencing significant growth, driving the need for increased services to support a population of approximately 1.2 million residents, workers and tourists. Dublin City Council was aware that more network capacity was needed in the city centre, including shopping areas, mass transit locations and public parks. However, they wanted to avoid an ad-hoc approach to building small cells, which can lead to repeated disruptive civil works, excessive clutter and unsightly equipment tacked onto existing streetworks.

As part of their Smart Dublin initiative, the City Council worked with local network operators, the Telecom Infra Project (TIP) and equipment suppliers to deploy telecoms-enabled connected waste and recycling bins. With urban real estate at a premium, the multi-purpose waste bins help expand smart city services while allowing Irish MNOs to effectively densify their networks without street clutter. Plus, having this type of 5G infrastructure in place provides support for other smart city services, such as a Smart Dublin augmented reality (AR) feature that promotes and enhances tourism.

When planning new streetworks assets, taking a holistic approach enables cities and MNOs to consider a number of factors, including what other kinds of services can be supported, and how to best address aesthetics concerns in heritage districts. This approach also should include education – whether it’s convincing the planning and zoning department that the streetworks will not impact the city power grid, or conducting an information campaign to educate the public about the safety of 5G technology.

Digital transformation

As cities around the world work toward a smarter tomorrow, it’s important to ensure ready access to the digital tools needed to realise this goal, including sufficient 5G connectivity when and where it’s most needed. Multi-purpose, telecoms-enabled streetworks solutions provide municipal governments one essential tool to begin building their smart city capabilities, enabling improved services, increased safety and greater efficiency for enhanced community experiences and economic development.

*Fergal Lawlor is the CEO of Alpha Wireless, which he founded in 2007. He is an Antenna Design Engineer with 30 years of experience in the telecommunications industry and extensive experience in base station antenna designs. Fergal holds a number of antenna related patents and is recognized as a leading innovator.

Images: Alpha Wireless