Six local authorities across the UK are to be awarded government funding to trial infrastructure technology, including ‘smart poles’ that can offer improved connectivity, electric vehicle (EV) charging and a range of Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities.
The UK government says that the pilots are aimed to help “better understand the benefits of using street furniture and other assets for network deployment”.
The government will provide a total of £1.3m in funding through the Smart Infrastructure Pilots Programme (SIPP), with the local authorities contributing £2.7m for a total investment of £4m.
The project is a joint venture between the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Department for Transport (DfT), working with the authorities and smart service providers.
It looks to test the capabilities of smart multi-purpose columns or lampposts, as well as other elements of local infrastructure.
Nick Johnson, head of the UK Telecoms Innovation Network, said that the initiative represented a “significant update” in the UK’s efforts to improve digital connectivity.
He added that a vital part of the government’s Wireless Infrastructure Strategy was centred on the need to “identify and break down barriers to deployment at a local level”.
Pilot allows local authorities to test a range of smart infrastructure capabilities
The pilots are seen as an important part of this process, letting local authorities explore how best to deliver new digital services to communities on the ground.
The six participating local authorities are Cambridgeshire County Council, Tees Valley Combined Authority, the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Westminster City Council, Oxfordshire County Council and North Ayrshire Council.
They will all receive between £165,000 and £250,000 in government funding, with different authorities having put forward their own use cases for the technology.
Westminster City Council, for example, will test multi-functional smart lamp columns that will provide EV charging infrastructure, air quality monitors, vehicle counting cameras and enforcement cameras.
They will also be able to provide wireless broadband, while small cells will improve mobile connectivity.
The lamps will be fitted with specially strengthened foundations and enhanced power supply to allow for the requirements of multi-use cases.
Part of the Tees Valley deployment will be at Teesside International Airport, where smart columns will provide smart lighting, CCTV, traffic counters, environmental monitors and smart screens for travellers.
Today’s news was brought to you by TD SYNNEX – the UK’s number one solutions distributor.
