Just because it’s slicing expenditures in all directions doesn’t mean that Sprint can’t come up with about $7 million to invest in a three-way partnership with Cisco and Kansas City, MO’s smart city-program doing business as ThinkBig. The public-private partnership will invest about $15.7 million – Cisco will pony up about $5 million, ThinkBig, $3.8 million, to assure KCMO can continue to call itself “the world’s most connected Smart City.” It is expected to be a 10-year project.
Over the weekend, locals streamed through the City’s Smart City Village downtown during the 2.2-mile streetcar launch and discovered the smart initiatives that include free public WiFi, smart streetlights and sensory lighting. “Kansas City is part of a leading edge movement to use advances in technology to change the way cities work–from more efficient management of infrastructure like traffic signals, streetlights and storm water systems to new ways to engage with residents and visitors,” said KCMO.gov. The city aims to improve the delivery of city services, enhance the citizen experience, and support entrepreneurship and economic development. The partners also hope the smart city initiative will also “improve the way people experience Kansas City, from the flow of traffic to better city services to more free public WiFi.”
Sprint will roll out and manage the WiFi network in partnership with Cisco, said industrialiot5g.com. Sprint will manage have of the network for its own use, and the entire network will not cost taxpayers anything.
“We are proud to play an integral role in Kansas City’s Smart City initiative, making Sprint’s hometown one of the most comprehensive connected cities in the world,” said Tim Donahue, president, Kansas and Missouri Region at Sprint. “Sprint WiFi will help streamline city operations, generate economic development, and improve the quality of life for Kansas City residents.”
A light sensory network of 125 smart streetlights responsive to citizen activity will also be installed along the newly launched 2.2-mile downtown streetcar line, according to industrialiot5g.com. Sensory sensors and integrated LED street lighting installed by Cisco will be able to capture data. Kansas City expects the light sensory network to save money and energy and reduce light pollution while the KC Streetcar Authority is interested in using the sensors to ensure safe, high quality rides.
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