Urban development is a complex process. Cities depend on multiple complex layers of infrastructure to serve and protect citizens. Traffic management, public safety and healthcare, civic engagement, and energy management are all fundamental components of functional and healthy cities.

Technology, as it has in the rest of our lives, has been playing an ever-increasing role in supporting these systems and improving our civic lives. Smart cities are even further changing that dynamic. They represent the future of urban development, where technology and data play pivotal roles in enhancing city operations and improving the quality of life for residents. Central to a smart city’s success is the strategic integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to optimize urban services and infrastructure. This enables real-time data collection and analysis for informed decision-making and efficient service delivery across key sectors such as transportation, energy, healthcare, and public safety.

These technologies, however, depend on a reliable backbone of Internet of Things devices, which provide the infrastructure for machine-to-machine communication and data exchange for ICT systems interactions. To fully realize the potential of this infrastructure, smart cities require robust connectivity and rapid data transfer, which is where 5G technology comes into play. With its unparalleled speed, low latency, and extensive network capacity, 5G is a transformative force, driving the evolution of smart city environments and empowering them to meet the demands of the future.

5G enables IoT with high bandwidth, low latency

5G provides the high-speed data transmission and connectivity required to support a multitude of devices and applications in a smart city infrastructure. Its ability to handle vast amounts of data with low latency enables deployment and management of a complex ecosystem of IoT devices that rely on seamless, real-time communication between sensors, apps, and embedded machines.

Efficient functionality with real-time data and 5G

With 5G, planners can develop and implement interactive smart city initiatives that use real-time data and artificial intelligence to create responsive and innovative urban services. This technology acts as a catalyst for building energy-efficient systems and sustainable infrastructure, enabling cities to actively tackle challenges like climate change and emissions while promoting economic growth.

5G makes IoT device integration more efficient and responsive for smart building management, air quality monitoring, and energy management. Hotspot devices and cellular routers can leverage 5G to enable deployment and management of IoT-enabled streetlights and smart grids. After devices are deployed on a 5G network, city planners and residents can effectively monitor and manage resources with real-time data collection and transmission. The increased bandwidth and reduced latency of 5G facilitates timely interventions and optimizations, even for multiple devices. This ensures smart city infrastructures operate smoothly, conserving energy and improving sustainability.

Unlock lightning-fast 5G internet almost anywhere

5G supports the full spectrum of civil use cases

5G cities can improve the efficiency and responsiveness of many elements of civil society. There are a variety of use cases for a smart city 5G infrastructure that support the integration of IoT and ICT systems to enable the management and synchronization of autonomous machine-to-machine communication.

Intelligent transportation systems

Real-time data exchange between connected vehicles and civil infrastructure, facilitated by 5G, is ideal for intelligent transportation systems. Autonomous vehicles and electric vehicle charging stations can leverage 5G outdoor Customer Premises Equipment (CPEs), which provide consistent and reliable connectivity for public transportation. These devices support seamless communication across urban landscapes for safer and more efficient transportation solutions. Ultimately, these 5G-connected solutions enhance citizens’ quality of life by reducing traffic congestion and emissions.

Enhanced public safety and emergency services

5G can greatly enhance the responsiveness of public safety and emergency services with smart surveillance systems and connected emergency response teams. 5G technology can provide the essential infrastructure needed for real-time surveillance and rapid deployment of resources, improving public safety and crisis communication. 5G hotspots and cellular routers can be used to provide secure, fast communication channels for emergency services, ensuring critical data promptly reaches first responders and decision-makers when it’s needed.

Efficient energy management

5G can also be used to facilitate renewable energy solutions and smart grids to support more sustainable energy systems. Hotspots and routers that support 5G and 5G RedCap technology enable energy providers to implement intelligent systems that dynamically adjust energy distribution based on demand and availability. 5G RedCap offers power-saving features that enhance the efficiency of devices, ensuring minimal energy loss even across widespread energy systems. Real-time data analysis supported by both 5G and RedCap can be used to optimize energy sources, reduce waste, and enhance urban development initiatives.

Healthcare and telemedicine

5G offers transformative capabilities for healthcare and telemedicine services, particularly in densely populated areas. The technology can be used to support advanced telehealth services and remote patient monitoring, improving public health outcomes and quality of life. Cellular routers and outdoor CPEs that leverage 5G can provide reliable connectivity for medical devices and telemedicine platforms, enabling remote consultations, diagnostics, and monitoring. This high-speed connectivity is vital for delivering timely healthcare services, reducing the burden on traditional healthcare facilities and increasing access to medical care in urban settings.

Inseego provides industry-leading 5G solutions for smart cities

Inseego is an industry leader in 5G. We’ve delivered numerous industry firsts and offer a suite of 5G solutions to support every level of smart city infrastructures, including cellular routers, outdoor CPEs, and mobile hotspots, all managed by Inseego Connect.

Our 5G cellular routers provide high-performance internet access within buildings, supporting seamless connectivity for residents, businesses, and public facilities with stable, high-speed internet. By facilitating smart building management and supporting IoT devices, these routers contribute to the overall efficiency and integration of smart city systems.

Our outdoor CPEs deliver robust internet access for crucial data collection and to support public Wi-Fi networks. They empower diverse smart city projects, from optimizing waste management to addressing complex urban challenges.

Our mobile hotspots provide dependable, portable internet access for city workers, stakeholders, and emergency teams. These hotspots ensure continuous communication and data-driven management in public services and private-sector deployments. By keeping key personnel connected on-the-go, hotspots enhance a city’s ability to manage resources, respond swiftly to emergencies, and coordinate effectively across different sectors.

Inseego Connect offers a powerful cloud-based platform for managing all deployed devices, ensuring that networks are optimized and running smoothly. This platform allows city administrators to monitor network performance, deploy updates, and manage devices remotely, facilitating efficient and streamlined urban operations. With comprehensive insights and centralized control, Inseego Connect enhances the ability to maintain reliable and secure connectivity across an entire smart city infrastructure.

Our 5G solutions are deployed worldwide. In Southern Europe, for example, a government-led pilot network leveraged Inseego’s cutting-edge 5G solutions to connect key urban areas, including a busy railway station, a bustling bus hub, and a large conference center. For an in-depth look at this pioneering project, read the full case study.

To learn more about how Inseego’s 5G solutions are driving change in smart cities or to find out how you can use Inseego devices for a project in your city, contact us today!