According to the United Nations report, 7 out of 10 people will live in cities by 2050 which poses a problem for a lot of infrastructures but not one that would normally come to mind.
With the advent of smarts phones, tablets and computers more and more technology require an internet connection but with a higher concentration in urban areas, this poses an online congestion problem for network providers. But not any more thanks to Ericson & Philips who have come up with an ingenious way of solving this issue – Smart street lights.
How does it work? Well, it looks simple enough but don’t be fooled its high tech, not only can the highly efficient LED lights save up to 80% of electricity costs with smart controls the lights themselves are brighter and a survey from a test site said that residents felt 70 – 80% safer.
There is space within the light pole to accommodate service provider equipment who would rent the space, but from who is where things get fuzzy. We think it’s a fantastic idea if councils buy the poles and then rent them out but there is some talk of the rental space being controlled by Ericson & Philips which could pose problems in the future if councils and corporations don’t place nice.
Either way, it’s a step in the right direction for internet access.
Stay curious – C.Costigan
