BAI Communications (BAI), a global shared communications infrastructure provider, has published a new report revealing that organizations’ support for building smart communities is high but upgrading the requisite network infrastructure is a challenge. The report titled, “The building blocks of smarter, more connected communities: Smart communities report 2022,” also reveals collaboration between public and private enterprises is essential to delivering ubiquitous connectivity and high-quality services necessary to create smart and intuitive communities. While strongly favoring a smart community concept, organizations are actively seeking to partner with public and private enterprises to build the network.
BAI defines a smart community as one that uses state-of-the-art technology and real-time data analytics to improve environmental sustainability, reduce the digital divide and enhance people’s lives with smarter, personalized and more intuitive services and experiences. The report uncovered three clear trends: organizations want their communities to be smarter; the network infrastructure required to build smart communities is an enabler but a challenge; and, organizations are ready to move forward to adopt the technologies required to build smart communities.
BAI’s inaugural report highlights the findings from its study of approximately 200 enterprise and venue IT experts and senior decision makers across the United Kingdom and United States. It offers an in-depth look at attitudes and understanding of smart communities for organizations across industries ranging from manufacturing and health care to education and entertainment as well as venues like shopping malls, residential buildings, and office complexes.
Organizations want communities to be smarter, but better industry collaboration is needed
Smart communities can deliver real-world benefits that enhance the everyday experience of residents, businesses, and visitors. However, the research suggests finding the right partners is impacting the ability for organizations to participate in smart community initiatives. Nearly 87 percent of respondents cite a lack of awareness of potential partner organizations as a barrier to participating in smart community initiatives.
Advanced networks are critical to supporting greater connectivity, but organizations are holding back on upgrading infrastructure
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, those surveyed understand the need to improve and future-proof their infrastructure. However, many are delaying important network upgrades often due to high implementation and operational costs, even though close to 93 percent of respondents believe faster speeds and lower latency enable greater adoption of cloud infrastructure and applications.
The right partners are key to enabling organizations to adopt new technologies that facilitate enhanced connectivity
While many organizations are putting off network upgrades, they understand the need to adopt technologies like distributed antenna systems and small cells to enhance connectivity experiences for their customers. BAI’s research shows the neutral host model offers significant benefits to organizations. Virtually all respondents believe that shared infrastructure is relevant to meeting their connectivity objectives. Over 55 percent of respondents believe DAS and small cells will help increase public connectivity across buildings, factories, and campuses at lower costs.
“An advanced ecosystem of networks underpins many of the public services that keep our cities running efficiently to deliver the high-quality connectivity experiences we have grown accustomed to” says Brendan O’Reilly, BAI Group CTO. “From our research, it is clear that collaboration is critical to enabling smart community transformations. This requires a coordinated effort between government, public and private enterprises, shared infrastructure, and neutral host providers to bridge the gaps and develop a robust foundation for connectivity.”
In the U.S., BAI owns Transit Wireless and Mobilitie and recently announced a deal to acquire ZenFi Networks, as Inside Towers reported. Internationally, BAI has subway communications projects in London, Toronto, and Hong Kong.
By John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor
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