With capabilities above and beyond 4G, 5G is leading the way for connection, communication and the future. Powering the UK’s Smart Cities, 5G creates bonds between businesses, consumers and residents, developing a more inclusive and local community. 5G is vital for the efficiency of smart infrastructure and systems that require data collection to work effectively. The power and reliability of 5G helps smart city projects grow and succeed.
What is a 5G Smart City?
A 5G smart city uses advanced technology and connected systems powered by 5G networks to improve the sustainability and efficiency of the local community. Providing ultra-fast speeds and the ability to connect millions of devices simultaneously, 5G enables smart cities to operate seamlessly with interconnected systems that communicate well with one another, all thanks to the power of 5G.Â
IoT devices, such as smart sensors and cameras, are the technology that make up a smart city and without 5G, they would not operate to their full capacity. The systems that these IoT devices create through their connection need to be able to collect and transmit vast amounts of data, both to each other and to a storage cloud. 5G is the mobile network technology with the capacity for this, supporting the functionality and development of smart cities. The potential for 5G is huge and smart cities have limitless opportunities to utilise 5G with the ability to revolutionise daily life. 5G has the scope to connect and collect from millions of IoT devices across the city.Â
How 5G is Used in Smart Cities
When it comes to smart cities, 5G is used for pretty much every aspect of the infrastructure. Without 5G capabilities, smart cities would not be able to function with the efficiency and effectiveness required.Â
Traffic Management
Smart traffic management systems use real-time data to optimise traffic flow, reducing congestion and lower emissions with the ability to monitor current road situations and reroute drivers where necessary. These smart traffic management systems not only rely on 5G to communicate between each sensor but also to relay information back to consumers through navigational apps.Â
Community Lighting
5G helps local communities conserve energy through smart lighting systems that adjust brightness based on weather and lighting conditions. By communicating the collected information back to the servers, automatic decisions can be made in real-time via technology. This helps to reduce energy consumption and enhances public safety by turning lighting on when it is required.
Surveillance
Another aspect of smart cities that benefit from 5G is public safety. High-definition surveillance cameras require 5G to instantly communicate and transmit visuals which can prove to be vital during emergencies. 5G allows emergency services to monitor incidents as they progress, without any delay in transmission, and can assist with both crime prevention and efficient attendance of medical emergencies.Â
Waste Management
5G enables efficient waste management through connected bins and optimised collection routes. Sensors within bins can monitor the fill level in real-time which can streamline waste management by only deploying waste collection services when necessary. Monitoring waste levels creates cleaner communities, preserves resources and reduces emissions required to attend waste collections, all powered by 5G’s communication capabilities.Â
Other Uses of 5G in Smart Cities
5G is now used to power many different systems and operations throughout smart cities. This includes the likes of smart parking, public bike management, vending machines, electricity meters and so much more.
How will 5G Affect Smart Cities and People Living in it?
5G is having a transformative impact on smart cities and will continue to do so until the next generation of mobile network technology takes over. This technology allows fast and efficient communication not only between people living within the smart cities but within the infrastructure that helps smart cities to operate and develop. With smart cities constantly growing and implementing new systems, there are always new operations coming into place but there are some consistencies across smart cities in the UK that are hugely beneficial to the people living in them.
Journey times
Smart traffic management systems help people living in the city minimise their journey times. By using real-time traffic monitoring, congestion can be reduced by streamlining traffic flow, rerouting drivers when necessary while also enhancing the service of public transportation and ride-sharing. These systems also reduce emissions which creates a cleaner environment to live in whilst also saving drivers money on unnecessary fuel costs.
Cleaner Environment
5G helps smart cities maintain a cleaner environment, providing a healthier living space for the local community. In addition to reducing emissions through traffic management systems which reduce air pollution, waste management systems also ensure that water pollution is drastically reduced and bin levels are monitored to prevent overfill. The effectiveness of smart waste management means that pollution and litter is kept to a low, allowing the residents of smart cities to enjoy a better environment.
Public Safety
There are many systems across smart cities that support public safety, all of which are powered by 5G. Residents can rest assured that they are living in a safer place thanks to these incredible networks. 5G helps surveillance cameras communicate between each other, to the cloud and to emergency services which can help address incidents at speed while also acting as a criminal deterrent. The people living in smart cities have the comfort that public areas are monitored and that emergency services can use this surveillance to respond quickly and accurately. 5G also powers automatic lighting which uses real-time data to light up based on lighting and weather conditions. This ensures that no area is left in darkness and that lighting is not based on a pre-set timer that can be out of sync with lighting levels. Plus, by optimising travel through smart management systems, roads are safer for those living in smart cities, especially with the implementation of incident detection.