Philips and Ericsson want to provide smart lampposts with mobile internet

Philips and Ericsson combine smart LED lighting and broadband network equipment in street lighting. The combination should deliver cost savings to cities through reduced consumption, while increasing broadband coverage.

According to Philips and Ericsson, the continued growth of cities means that expansion of network capacity remains necessary and sustainable lighting for streets is needed. The companies’ new lampposts would kill two birds with one stone.

Philips provides the poles with smart controls, which make it possible for cities to manage the lighting remotely. Sensors in the poles can provide information about how busy it is at what times on certain routes, after which the cities can decide whether or not to dim the LEDs. Philips speaks of lighting-as-a-service to indicate its range of street lighting for cities.

Space is built into the poles for Ericsson network equipment. The Swedish manufacturer calls its concept Zero Site. The intention is that cities can rent the base stations to network providers to improve the coverage of mobile internet. The providers must work with Ericsson equipment for this. Philips does not cooperate with other network companies for the infrastructure. The two companies are said to have already conducted some tests in cities and are now ready for a global rollout.

The companies do not provide details about the network equipment that can be used in the lampposts.