It could be the key to enabling 5G and ensuring Bangladesh's complete digital transformation
Our beloved mother Earth -- a "pale blue dot" in the universe -- is now exploding with over 8 billion people, but there is only a limited amount of habitable land available. As a result of overpopulation, cities throughout the world face difficulties in meeting the needs of their citizens, such as providing seamless internet connectivity, 24-hour security, 360-degree advanced surveillance, robust networking, and quality citizen services. As people leave rural areas for a better standard of living and easier access to technology, this burden is also felt in the city.
Only technological solutions can solve these issues, but satisfying the demand for data-driven solutions among residents becomes an additional challenge. It is especially worrisome for densely populated, unplanned cities such as Dhaka, Chittagong, etc.
This problem requires comprehensive solutions, and the smart city furniture initiative is one of a kind. This is an innovative 5G solution designed to meet the connectivity needs of major metropolitan areas.
Several major cities in developed nations, including New York, Sydney, Kuala Lumpur, London, Delhi, and Colombo, have already adopted these innovative connectivity solutions. By adopting smart street solutions, these smart cities can provide their citizens with many value-added features, such as free Wi-Fi, security monitoring, real-time air quality monitoring, and digital signage, among others.
The term “street furniture” refers to objects in public spaces that house small cell units and are typically positioned for the use of the general public. Billboards, lampposts, bus stops, phone booths, park benches, utility poles, and other structures near a power source are examples of street furniture with small cell networks. Small cell networks require a power source, an antenna, and associated fibre and cable equipment.
This innovative and sustainable solution is better suited for 5G network connectivity, which will decrease data congestion, improve customer experiences, and contribute to the nation's digital goals. Technically, wireless communications systems transmit data using radio frequencies. 5G operates in the same manner but utilizes higher, less crowded radio frequencies. This enables it to transmit more data at a much faster rate.
These previously unused bands have been made available for licensing by regulators. Although higher frequencies transmit data more quickly, there can be difficulties when transmitting over long distances. Physical objects such as trees and buildings can easily obstruct their transmission.
5G will utilize multiple input and output antennae to boost signals and capacity across the wireless network, and the small cell is a foundational technology upon which 5G is based. In order to maintain flawless 5G communication, these low power cellular access nodes must be installed throughout dense urban areas.
Currently, EDOTCO has smart pole street furniture installed in the major Bangladeshi divisional cities in partnership with city governments. Two of them are within the Dhaka City Corporation, two within the Chittagong City Corporation, and two within the Sylhet City Corporation.
This integrated solution enables the installation of energy-efficient LED lighting, Wi-Fi services, security surveillance, a waste management system through smart bins, real-time air quality monitoring, and a digital banner for community messages, among other features. This first-of-its-kind deployment of multifunctional smart lamp posts unites multiple ecosystem participants for the first time to foster uninterrupted connectivity for citizens.
The implementation of this modern infrastructure solution provides citizens with an enhanced platform for social and government services. It is an exemplary public-private partnership because the collaboration enables the tower company to not only provide the best service to its customers, but also to provide citizens with the benefits of a modern city.
In developed nations, the deployment of smart solutions has dramatically improved the quality of life. Future intelligent systems will offer intelligent parking, crowd management, energy consumption, traffic patterns, etc. There is a substantial opportunity to reduce traffic and commuting times, emergency response times, healthcare expenditures, water consumption, and waste disposal.
Using existing street furniture can make the installation of small cells in cities more cost-effective and space-efficient, thereby ensuring proper resource management.
Due to space limitations, it is difficult for cities to construct the telecommunication infrastructure necessary to satisfy the high demand for connectivity among urbanites. Small cells, unlike conventional skyscrapers with bulky radio access points, are radio access points with low radio frequency (RF) power output, footprint, and range that can operate both indoors and outdoors.
In an intelligent, technology-driven era, these techniques are essential for social growth. Because of smart cities, the Internet of Things (IoT), and technological advancements in network and communication services, 5G networks and smart cities are becoming more dependent on sustainable practices.
Government policies can aid in the industry's development. Edotco, as the first mover of the deployment of street furniture, is working to establish partnerships with local and government agencies across the country to implement smart street furniture structures that can serve both as smart urban connectivity systems and serve the ultimate needs of urbanization.
Today, Bangladesh's Digital Bangladesh Vision-2021 is a reality, and the government is working to establish Smart Bangladesh by implementing a knowledge-based economy by 2041. The deployment of intelligent street furniture can expedite the implementation of the vision while ensuring the quickest 5G connectivity.
Effective policies and governing systems must be in place. To enable solutions such as street furniture to meet the rising demand for the fastest connectivity, all participants in the ecosystem of telecommunications must step forward. Prior to enabling 5G, many intelligent solutions will need to be in place, making it crucial to dispel the widespread misconception about tower radiation.
Introducing 5G and innovative technological solutions has made data accessibility easier than ever. The fifth generation of wireless communication has ushered in a new era of limitless potential in a variety of industries. It is time to enable solutions for future telecom infrastructures and provide citizens with the best connectivity experience.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Ahammad Jubaer Ali
Quelle/Source: Dhaka Tribune, 31.01.2023
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