What are smart cities?
Smart cities are cities where technology is integrated to improve the efficiency and management of public services, thereby making life easier for their inhabitants.
This includes elements such as sensors that detect traffic to better regulate traffic lights, rubbish bins that alert when they are full, street lights that turn on when they detect people nearby, etc.
The main idea is that the city collects, processes and acts on the data collected in real time. This allows for faster and more accurate decisions to be made, improving mobility, safety, water management, energy and security, among other things.
What influence does 5G have on smart cities?
5G is a key component of a smart city, as this technology allows connection speeds of up to 1Gbit/s, latencies of around 1ms and millions of IoT device connections in a square kilometre. This last feature is essential in an environment where many devices have to be connected at the same time and sending and receiving information in real time.
In addition, 5G enables greater reliability and immediate responsiveness from the network, providing adaptability in changing environments such as cities.
All this translates into a much more robust and scalable digital infrastructure, capable of supporting the complex services that smart cities require to operate.
What challenges may smart cities face with the development of 5G?
The implementation of 5G for the development of smart cities, in addition to major advances, also presents significant challenges that must be taken into account to ensure its development.
One of the main challenges lies in infrastructure, as the 5G network for smart cities requires a high density of devices and base stations distributed throughout the city, which implies significant economic expenditure and very good planning of city coverage.
In addition, it is important to address cybersecurity risks. The management and protection of user data is key, as ensuring a secure digital environment promotes public trust and allows the full potential of 5G to be realised.
It is also essential to promote the equitable and inclusive implementation of 5G so that all areas can benefit equally from new technologies, thereby fostering more equitable and accessible urban development.
Finally, it is necessary to ensure that the devices and data management platforms to be used are interoperable. For example, a proximity sensor from one brand must be able to communicate efficiently with a data management platform from another brand.
What specific examples are there of improvements in cities thanks to 5G?
Among many other applications, 5G makes it possible to create a new generation of smarter and more autonomous urban services. Here are a few examples in the following areas:
- Autonomous and connected transport: vehicles that communicate with each other and with traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, signs, etc. to avoid accidents or choose more efficient routes depending on conditions. It is also possible to redirect public transport according to demand and optimise routes to reduce emissions.
- Lighting and signalling: street lights that adjust their intensity when they detect the presence of vehicles or pedestrians, and signs that adapt dynamically to traffic conditions or events on the road (such as school start times).
- Real-time traffic management: accidents and congestion can be detected immediately, allowing traffic to be redirected.
- Urban video surveillance: cameras capable of analysing images immediately can detect problems or risk scenarios and take the most appropriate measures autonomously.
- Drones can be used for urban road control, routine infrastructure inspection or faster delivery of medical supplies to hard-to-reach areas.
- Urban telemedicine: connected ambulances communicate the patient’s condition in real time for a more tailored and rapid response on arrival at the hospital.
- Smart waste management: bins and waste containers that notify when they are full to optimise collection routes and reduce emissions.
- Air and water quality control: to issue advice and restrictions to citizens if necessary.
How are devices and sensors connected in a city?
All devices belonging to the smart city use wireless networks such as 4G, 5G or WiFi to communicate with each other and send the information they collect to a central control platform, from which the data is processed and analysed.
In addition, other technologies such as NB-IoT are also common in urban environments as they are characterised by low energy consumption and a wide coverage footprint.
Through the processing of this data, actions or alarms are generated automatically and in real time.
What is the difference between a city with good connectivity and a Smart City?
Having good connectivity is a necessary requirement, but it is not enough for a Smart City.
A city with good connectivity is one where we can access the internet in a stable and high-quality manner, whether through fixed or mobile networks. What makes a city smart is the collection and use of data.
The difference lies in the active use of technology to optimise the functioning of the city and improve the lives of its inhabitants.
