Smart Cities: Important Conversation Topics

What You Need to Know from the 2017 CompTIA ChannelCon

While technology reliance and innovation has been increasing in all sectors, the increase in technological capabilities for cities is an exciting new frontier, and those that are running with technology innovations are being called “smart cities.” No longer a science fiction concept, smart cities are being transformed across the U.S., and globally.

The 2017 CompTIA ChannelCon conference featured on session on “Smart Cities: The Future is Now” moderated by Peter Murray. Details on the sessions »

Smart Cities Need to Avoid Silos

Smart cities tackle the urban challenges of the increase in cellular and mobile dependability as well as the need to utilize big data and technology intelligence to create a more efficient place to live and work.

Creating an integrated smart city requires collaboration across almost all sectors and has the power to transform the lives and experiences of both residents and visitors (creating a safer, more energy efficient city with potentially more jobs and more competition in the marketplace).

Orlando was discussed at the conference as an example smart city that has begun intentionally avoiding silos in how they’re developing into a smart city. They have integrated infrastructure to interconnect the intelligence of:

• Citizen and visitor engagement
• Administration
• Public safety (fire and police)
• Autonomous vehicles
• Diverse modes of access and mobility
• Water
• Energy and utilities
• Waste management
• Economic development
• Inclusion of vulnerable and under-served groups

Smart Cities Need to Keep in Mind User Expectations

The cellular carriers are not the only deciders at play when it comes to mapping out and deploying cell towers in a smart city. Think about the expectations of the users (both residents and visitors). Game days in arenas, festivals that attract out-of-towners, and other events or reasons why demand may go up should be taken into account.

Smart Cities Need to Build Relationships & Partner Up

Because of the intricacies of smart cities and how involved deployment can be across different sectors, partnering up to work toward a common goal is essential. Austin, Texas was an example mentioned at the conference. The city of Austin coordinated between around 50 companies and organizations in the city (from IBM and Amazon Web Services to the Chamber of Commerce and the Austin Tech Alliance) to coordinate smart city deployment goals and efforts.

Smart Cities Are All About 5G

5G wireless technology is transforming wireless network infrastructure with small-cell networks employing 5G speeds. Full potential of economic growth and innovation depends on how the infrastructure upgrades are deployed widespread, however it only shows continued adaption and potential growth.

Network deployment of 5G small-cell networks involves 10 – 100 times more antenna locations than 4G or 3G currently require. These cells are about the size of a show box and are critical for delivering the network speed and capacity and supporting the expected increase in even more devices connecting in the future.

You May Be Interested In…

• Smart Cities & 5G Deployment Advantages
• 5G Is the Next Generation for Cellular Connections