Addressing smart city communications

CCTV Handbook 2017 Surveillance, Infrastructure

The concept of a smart city has always been associated with a comprehensive approach to synchronising and organising the many aspects of urban life through the use of information and communication technology. It includes a broad spectrum of interconnected applications such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, transportation, households, social services and others.

Radwin 5000jet.
Radwin 5000jet.

Making a city smart entails interconnectivity, with the ultimate goal of improving its citizens’ lives, work, leisure and sustainability. These goals are becoming more important as we see that currently about 50% of the world’s population live in urban areas, and this is expected to rise to about six billion by 2045.

With these smart city goals, the Internet of Things (IoT), the network of objects that are able to collect and interchange data, is now more important than ever. And the number of IoT devices is growing exponentially. A study by Machina Research in 2016 predicted that a projected number of 20 billion devices will be in use by 2020.

Low power, wide area

Many of these devices connect using Lower Power Wide Area (LPWA) technologies. LPWA can be used in many applications, such as the transportation sector, in traffic congestion sensors, smart parking meters and vehicle fleet communication. Environmental, air and weather sensors, as well as energy and solar panel monitoring. Other applications could include waste management, fire detection and smart lighting.

The future IoT landscape in a smart city will rely on LPWA networks, but it will also require higher speed broadband communication for big data transmission. This will be based on a mix of fibre, cellular and wireless to bring connectivity to a myriad of services and devices.

While fibre may have traditionally been seen as the optimal delivery method for broadband connectivity, more and more governments and municipalities are recognising the importance of wireless broadband in the smart city mix; particularly in the mobility sector, but increasingly in ‘fixed wireless’ applications too.

Get the mix right

Our research and development in fixed, nomadic and semi-nomadic applications mean Radwin has developed a comprehensive array of Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) solutions and deployments in over 170 countries. Radwin’s carrier-class solutions are in use in many of the world’s biggest connectivity projects such as in Moscow Metro, connecting over seven million passengers in transit to the Internet every day, as well as in bus networks in South Africa.

When deploying any wireless broadband solution, smart city planners need to take into account the way the technology copes with interference in a dense urban environment. Radwin was one of the first companies to address this with its smart beamforming antenna, making it immune to interference in congested unlicensed spectrums, enabling – for the first time – guaranteed service-level agreements (SLAs) which is vital for use in mission-critical applications.

For more information contact Radwin, +27 (0)74 114 2805, nick_ehrke@radwin.com





Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Pentagon appointed as Milestone distributor
Elvey Security Technologies News & Events Surveillance
Milestone Systems appointed Pentagon Distribution (an Elvey Group company within the Hudaco Group of Companies) as a distributor. XProtect’s open architecture means no lock-in and the ability to customise the connected video solution that will accomplish the job.

Read more...
Empowering cities with intelligent security solutions
Secutel Technologies Surveillance IoT & Automation
By leveraging advanced AI analytics, real-time data collection, and seamless integration capabilities, cities can address pressing security challenges and create a safer environment for residents.

Read more...
Re-imagining business operations with the power of AI
AI & Data Analytics Surveillance
inq., a Convergence Partners company, has introduced a range of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to assist organisations across industry verticals in optimising business operations and improving internal efficiencies.

Read more...
Eight MP dome for harsh environments
Axis Communications SA Surveillance Products & Solutions
Axis Communications announced a marine-grade stainless steel camera that offers performance in harsh environments. Enclosed in an electropolished stainless steel casing, it can withstand the corrosive effects of seawater and cleaning chemicals.

Read more...
Enhance control rooms with surveillance and intelligence
Leaderware Editor's Choice Surveillance Mining (Industry)
Dr Craig Donald advocates the use of intelligence and smart surveillance to assist control rooms in dealing with the challenges of the size and dispersed nature common in all mining environments.

Read more...
Navigating South Africa's cybersecurity regulations
Sophos Information Security Infrastructure
[Sponsored] Data privacy and compliance are not just buzzwords; they are essential components of a robust cybersecurity strategy that cannot be ignored. Understanding and adhering to local data protection laws and regulations becomes paramount.

Read more...
Creating a cybersecurity strategy in a world where threats never sleep
Information Security Infrastructure
[Sponsored Content] The boom of Internet of Things (IoT) technology and the chaos that surrounded the sudden shift to work-from-home models in 2020 kick-started the age of cybercrime. In that period, incidents rose by 600%, affecting every industry and showing no signs of slowing down.

Read more...
Advanced security solution for high-risk areas
Secutel Technologies Surveillance Integrated Solutions
The need for a sophisticated intrusion detection system is paramount when faced with persistent security challenges, particularly in isolated battery rooms or high-risk areas prone to vandalism, cable theft, and battery theft.

Read more...
Gallagher Security’s achieves SOC2 Type 2 recertification
Gallagher News & Events Integrated Solutions Infrastructure
Gallagher has achieved System and Organization Controls (SOC2 Type 2) recertification after a fresh audit of the cloud-hosted services of its integrated security solution, Command Centre. The recertification was achieved on 21 December 2023.

Read more...
Hikvision’s top seven trends for the security industry in 2024
Hikvision South Africa News & Events Surveillance AI & Data Analytics
As we embrace technological innovation, and adapt to evolving societal needs, we are witnessing the convergence of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and big data.

Read more...