The World Bank's report, "The Path to 5G in the Developing World," outlines the transformative potential of 5G technology in driving economic growth and digital transformation in developing nations. The article discusses the benefits of 5G across various sectors, the associated risks, and the policy measures needed for successful deployment.
As the world races towards digital transformation, the fifth-generation mobile network, known as 5G, is set to revolutionize the way we live and work. The recent report by the World Bank, "The Path to 5G in the Developing World," sheds light on the immense potential of 5G technology to drive economic growth and innovation, especially in developing nations. This next-gen technology promises to deliver unprecedented speeds, ultra-low latency, and the ability to connect a million devices per square kilometer, making it a game-changer in the digital landscape.
Read more: Bridging the Digital Divide: How 5G Will Transform Developing Nations
The experts at a webinar on doughnut economics expressed that the concept of regenerative economics intended to revive the human-nature relationship to co-exist in harmony would revolutionize urban development in the developing countries.
The Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Islamabad, organized a special webinar on Doughnut Economics: From concept to practice, said a news release here Saturday.
To date, the majority of smart city initiatives have progressed in developed economies, with authorities in Europe and the Nordics taking a lead in employing digital technologies to improve municipal services.
But the concept of the smart city encompasses more than the application of digital tech in urban spaces. Ultimately, private sectors and authorities need to ensure technology makes a meaningful contribution across many aspects of a citizen’s life, according to a report by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
Read more: Can there be smart cities in developing countries?
The over-arching purpose of smart cities is to improve the living standards of their people through multiple pathways, be it waste management, transportation or energy efficiency, to name a few. All of this can lead to making citizens more productive and delivering what all countries desire - economic growth.
A large number of smart city projects have been announced in developing countries, and developed nations have been tapping into smart technologies to upgrade municipal services. Creating and upgrading smart cities is seen as a key route to maintaining the standard of living in a sprawling city, as urbanisation is a trend that is not slowing down any time soon.
- With most future urbanization projected in Africa and Asia, this is where to look to see the trends shaping the cities of the future.
- High-tech, climate-positive infrastructure in smart cities will be key for sustainable outcomes.
- Forward-looking civic authorities will aim to further integrate urban systems.
In PCMC smart city just outside Pune, India, it used to take an hour to call an ambulance. Now, using integrated data systems for traffic management, health services and transport, emergency services take advantage of “green corridors” to cut through traffic, reaching those in need in half the time. They do this because the city’s authorities gather integrated data in their command-and-control centre, enabling teams to synchronize activities and work more efficiently. As a result, livability standards are increasing, and the energy efficiency of services improved by 50%.
Read more: Why developing nations are defining the smart cities of the future