Smarter cities, better living
As we rethink and redefine the role of cities in light of the covid-19 crisis, creating smarter urban environments should be a priority. 5G will be a key enabler of smarter cities, greatly improving quality of life for the four-fifths of the UK’s population that lives in urban areas. 5G delivers the tailored connectivity needed for smarter mobility, utilities, and construction, all of which will be integral to our ability to recover and rebuild greener.
| Cluster |
Use case | Environmental benefit from 5G connectivity |
Social benefit from 5G connectivity |
| Smart Urban | Construction | Fuel efficiency/reduced carbon emissions |
Safety-related benefits, e.g. reduction in accidents Reduced driving times/ wellbeing |
| Urban hotspots including public transport |
Improved public transport operations Smart buildings/ support for green building initiatives |
Improved city living experience Better access to information and media whilst travelling |
|
| Stadiums | Support for green initiatives in stadiums | Better enjoyment/ experience | |
| Smart automotive |
Better energy use/less waste Support for green construction policies, e.g. remote management of machines |
Increased safety of automobiles |
Social and environmental implications of 5G-enabled smart urban (Source: Analysys Mason)
How 5G enables smart cities
The benefits from 5G-enabled smart cities range from smarter, safer and more sustainable mobility - including autonomous driving and smart public transport - through to safer and greener construction and buildings.
5G provides the ultra-reliable low latency connectivity needed for the effective operation of connected and autonomous vehicles and also enables the development of innovative public transport and traffic management solutions designed to reduce congestion and pollution and improve safety. Smarter mobility will be key to achieving the UK’s goal of reaching net zero transport emissions by 2050.
Case Study - Ericsson, Einride and Telia power sustainable, self-driving trucks with 5G
5G also has the potential to be a game changer for buildings and construction. Smart buildings will bring greater convenience and comfort to residents while substantially decreasing energy usage, supporting the government’s plans for a green upgrade of England’s buildings. On construction sites, 5G connectivity can improve safety by underpinning the remote monitoring and control of both driver-operated and autonomous construction vehicles and drones.