Published At: April 17, 2023
Smart cities have become a modern reality, requiring high-speed internet connectivity to run smoothly. Integrating Wi-Fi 6 and 5G technologies can revolutionize how smart cities operate. In this article, we will explore the potential benefits of combining these technologies to create the ultimate smart city experience.
Wi-Fi 6, also known as 802.11ax, is the latest generation of wireless networking technology that can significantly impact the development of smart cities. Wi-Fi 6 can facilitate better connectivity, efficiency, and performance in various smart city applications by offering a range of improvements over previous Wi-Fi standards. Here are some ways Wi-Fi 6 can affect smart cities:
The promise of 5G and Wi-Fi 6, the latest iterations of wireless technology, is already being realized in select cities worldwide. While the complete transition to 5G will take time, Wi-Fi 6 is bringing more speed, lower latency, and increased device density support to its share of the wireless infrastructure. The two technologies will create a powerful combination that services fixed and mobile use cases.
The integration of Wi-Fi 6 and 5G can provide numerous benefits for smart cities, including:
The combination of these technologies can offer more immediate download and upload speeds, improving the overall efficiency of smart cities. Bright traffic lights, for instance, can use Wi-Fi 6 and 5G to communicate with each other, resulting in more efficient traffic management. Smart vehicles will communicate with light poles and traffic lights, with data streams from the roadside to the car potentially increasing tenfold. 5G can simplify tying together such multifarious solutions and seamlessly complement Wi-Fi 6 for many city use cases.
Smart cities require a vast network of devices, sensors, and machines to operate smoothly. Wi-Fi 6 and 5G can support many devices, allowing smart cities to expand their network and accommodate more devices.
Wi-Fi 6 and 5G technologies offer better security features than their predecessors. With the increasing threat of cyber attacks, smart cities need robust security measures to protect their infrastructure and data. Wi-Fi 6 and 5G can provide end-to-end encryption, making it difficult for hackers to access sensitive information.
The combination of Wi-Fi 6 and 5G can optimize the performance of devices and machines, resulting in improved efficiency. Smart homes, for instance, can use these technologies to automate lighting and temperature control functions, reducing energy consumption and lowering utility bills.
Wi-Fi 6 and 5G can provide a seamless user experience with faster internet speeds and lower latency. This can improve citizens' overall quality of life in smart cities, allowing them to access various services and applications quickly.
Brenda Germundson of Cisco's global public sector group emphasizes the importance of connectivity as the foundational aspect of smart city applications. 5G and Wi-Fi 6 will make it easier, better, faster, and future-proof for cities to deploy smart parking, smart lighting, and other IoT applications. With 5G and Wi-Fi 6, nearly every physical infrastructure in a city could be connected to the IoT, from buildings, roads, and bridges to parking spaces and trash containers.
Integrating Wi-Fi 6 and 5G technologies can transform how smart cities operate. Smart cities can become more efficient, sustainable, and livable with faster internet speeds, increased capacity, better security, improved efficiency, and enhanced user experience.
Moving to 5G and Wi-Fi 6 will bring new use cases that build on previous collaborations of cellular and Wi-Fi. In transport, 5G and Wi-Fi 6 can work together to improve onboard infotainment, support software and firmware updates in dense deployments, and simplify the collection of advanced telematics, including video.
In all its forms, next-generation wireless will create an infrastructure that fosters new ideas, creates opportunities, and enhances the quality of life – in ways we're already talking about and in ways we haven't even thought of yet. The future of smart cities is comprehensive coverage, where nearly every point of a city's physical infrastructure can be connected to a high-speed wireless network.
Policymakers and city planners need to adopt these technologies to create a smart city ecosystem that can meet the needs of the citizens and the environment.
References:
