As cities worldwide embrace the smart city revolution, a robust and future-ready network cabling infrastructure has emerged as the backbone enabling this transformation. From intelligent traffic management to e-governance services, the seamless connectivity and massive data throughput required for cutting-edge smart city applications rely heavily on the deployment of high-quality, high-bandwidth cabling networks.
This article delves into the indispensable role of network cabling in powering smart cities. It explores its evolution, integration challenges, sustainability considerations, and the future of wired and wireless convergence.
Read more: Role of Network Cabling in Building Smart Cities of the Future
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.
The latest edition of the Institute of Management Development’s Smart City Index combines hard data and survey responses from citizens in 142 cities worldwide.
The Swiss city of Zurich has retained the top spot for the fifth consecutive edition of the Institute of Management Development’s (IMD) Smart City Index, with Norwegian and Australian capitals, Oslo and Canberra, in second and third places, respectively.
How innovative resource management can promote sustainable urban development
A smart city has several dimensions: Environment, Mobility, Governance, Economy, People, and Living. Excelling across all of these dimensions leads to a successful, sustainable smart city. The conventional definition of smart cities limits it to a techno-centric model, where the primary means to manage the city’s resources better is by integrating Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Read more: Integrating circular economy principles into the smart city landscape
Berg Insight’s report finds smart city technologies continue to shape the cities of tomorrow with demand for remotely managed infrastructure growing daily.
Outside China, Europe has emerged as the leading smart city technology adopter while North America constitutes the second largest market, according to research. The Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions meanwhile constitute the fastest growing markets for smart city technology, fuelled by ambitious top-down initiatives and rapid urbanisation.