Vodafone Idea (VI) announced it is installing small cell units throughout Bhopal, India with the intent of developing it into the nation’s first smart city. With that goal in mind, VI has installed “street furniture” along the main thoroughfares of the capital city of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Bhopal is becoming 5G-enabled thanks to the units hidden in the street furniture doubling as traffic signals and street light poles, billboards, and signage all around the city. Bus shelters also serve as convenient 5G hosts. The tests have shown the small cell nodes can deliver up to one Gbps download speeds, according to the carrier.
The Bhopal Smart City is part of a pilot project by TRAI, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. TRAI has enlisted VI to conduct 5G trials as the city preps for 5G readiness. Continue Reading
TRAI has said that the dual purpose street furniture will aid in the rapid deployment of 5G connectivity. The small cell units will allow Bhopal to boost its 4G delivery now and take on more system interface as the city advances its smart tech plans. TRAI has indicated that the tests VI are conducting now will provide important information, especially in the gauging and coordinating of car, water, and aerial movement in urban areas.
The pilot project has the support of the MP State Government, Bhopal Municipal corporation, District Collector office, Bhopal Smart City, Bhopal Police, Bhopal City link Ltd (Bus city service), DISCOM and other state government bodies, all of whom are invested in fostering Bhopal’s future as a smart city.
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