Technology and connectivity

Fast and reliable digital connectivity is needed in smart places. During the design stage, we recommend you take the following steps:

• understand the digital connectivity you already have access to including fibre, mobile, wi-fi, and Internet of Things (IoT) networks
• establish whether you need to improve the connectivity you have. This may help to support particular smart technologies, new industries and address digital inequities.
• factor in future fibre upgrades by including extra capacity in underground infrastructure like pits and conduit
• include any digital connectivity improvements in your designs.

Connectivity solutions

Fibre-optic (fixed line)

Fibre-optic cable can support smart technologies that rely upon high-speed, reliable transmission of data. Fibre is generally high bandwidth and low latency, meaning it can transmit large volumes of data very quickly.

Internet of Things (IoT) networks

An IoT network links physical devices and systems to collect, connect and share data, often in real time.

IoT can include:

• infrastructure
• vehicles
• wearable devices
• home appliances
• medical technologies.

They are objects embedded with electronics, software, sensors and actuators. These things then share and exchange data to perform their functions more efficiently and effectively.

A backend interface, also known as an IoT platform, supports the network. It sits beneath a 'processing layer', which takes the form of a cloud or edge server processing all data across the network.

Data can be received, analysed and managed in real time, depending on how the network and applications are set up.

This could range from environmental data to pedestrian movements. The insights help place managers, enterprises, and citizens make better decisions.

Mobile

The 4G mobile network was originally designed to support mobile calls, SMS and video calls. It can transmit other types of data too, but it can't properly support simultaneous connections and uses a large amount of power.

5G mobile networks can upload and download information faster, have very low latency times and can connect multiple devices at the same time. This will better support data transmission in smart places.

Increasingly, 5G networks provide a viable alternative to fibre-based connections. They can support specific industrial use cases like robotics and smart manufacturing.

The physical assets in a smart place have differing functions. Two key infrastructure types are outlined below.

Sensors and actuators

Sensor devices gather data from the surrounding environment. They detect and record slight changes in their environment so that this data can be captured.

When sensors are connected, they can capture and relay relevant data in real time so it can be processed and analysed.

Actuators work in the opposite way to sensors. They trigger an action or response having been sent a command.

Multi-function poles and connected street furniture

Multi-function poles are connected with fibre and power. They can house devices like:

• 4G/5G small cells
• wi-fi
• connected CCTV
• smart lights
• electric vehicle charging points
• speakers
• power and USB outlets
• signals
• wayfinding and dynamic signage
• help buttons and microphones
• smart controls and sensors
• supporting infrastructure for autonomous vehicles.

If planned well, multi-function poles can reduce street clutter. They can also flexibly support new devices over time.

Because multi-function poles support mobile connectivity, mobile network operators may want to house their equipment on multi-function poles.

Street furniture includes:

• benches
• bus shelters
• picnic tables
• bins.

If you connect street furniture with power and fibre, you will be able to fit them with smart devices like the ones listed above.

To use smart street furniture and smart poles, you will need to make sure you have access to:

• high-quality internet and network access
• appropriate power.

All key open spaces have a dedicated internet or fibre connection point. For wi-fi, IoT and other digital infrastructure to be installed, this connection point needs to terminate in a data cupboard.