Curitiba Begins Testing 5G Streetlights. It Is the First City in the World to Test This New Internet Technology via Wi-Fi for Mobile Phones and Public Devices That Will Integrate Future Smart Cities

The 5G Lighting Tests in Curitiba Started on June 22 and Function as Wi-Fi Internet Antennas

Curitiba enters a new phase as a smart city and starts testing a 5G lighting fixture capable of providing Wi-Fi internet in public spaces. The tests began on June 22 and earned Curitiba the title of the first city in the world to have this technology. The performance of this device is being evaluated through a partnership between the City Hall of Curitiba, the Brazilian Agency for Industrial Development (ABDI), the Ministry of Communications, and the operator Ligga Telecom.

In practice, the 5G lighting fixture will function as a service hub, providing free Wi-Fi internet for nearby public locations. The installation was made at the corner of Avenida Cândido de Abreu and Rua Lysimaco Ferreira da Costa, near the town hall. Want to know more? Read the text and find out how this technology will work.

Learn More About the 5G Lighting Fixture in Curitiba in the Video Below

New Technology Will Bring Benefits to Various Sectors of the City Such as Education, Telemedicine, and Public Safety

The innovation of the 5G lighting fixture is another step towards the consolidation of Curitiba within the smart city concept. In addition to providing internet 100 times faster than 4G, this device has other functions such as remote management, monitoring cameras, traffic light management, noise sensors, and even facial recognition.

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This technology will benefit various sectors of society, especially Education and Public Safety, through more present management in public spaces. In summary, the 5G lighting fixture will be able to spread the Wi-Fi internet signal and bring greater connectivity to residents. However, in this initial testing phase, Wi-Fi will not yet be available to consumers, only to devices that need internet to function. But if all goes well, residents will have access to it soon.

“It is one of the solutions for installing the necessary infrastructure for the new mobile network, which requires a high number of antennas for the 5G technology to operate in cities”.

Mayor of Curitiba, Rafael Greca, during the inauguration ceremony (2022).

Greater Curitiba Was Chosen for Being an Excellent Model of a Smart City on a Global Level, Allowing the City Hall to Rent Antennas to Mobile Phone Companies

Curitiba was chosen to receive the tests because it is already among the major smart cities in the world and has advanced governance, technology, and innovation models. The lighting fixture brings even more visibility and contributes to innovation.

“The partnership with a well-established city like Curitiba will really foster the development of new services for citizens and companies”.

Igor Calvet, president of the Brazilian Agency for Industrial Development (ABDI) (2022)

The city hall, which manages public lighting, may also increase revenue through the rental of the 5G antennas to mobile phone companies. The population will have access to fast internet at no cost in the future when the tests show positive results.

5G Lighting Fixture Starts Testing in Curitiba but Will Continue in Other Cities in Brazil

The 5G lighting tests are occurring in frequency bands ranging from 27.5 to 27.9 GHz (gigahertz). The installation and performance evaluation are part of the Conecta 5G program, which aims to stimulate the new internet speed for Brazil. The companies Nokia and Juganu were responsible for developing the device, using Qualcomm technology. However, other cities will also receive tests soon:

• Araguaína (TO);
• Canaã dos Carajás (PA);
• Ceará-Mirim (RN);
• Foz do Iguaçu (PR);
• Jaraguá do Sul (SC);
• Juiz de Fora (MG);
• Maceió (AL);
• Paraipaba (CE);
• Parauapebas (PA);
• Pato Branco (PR);
• Petrolina (PE);
• Picos (PI);
• Sorocaba (SP).

The authorities responsible for the tests are still analyzing which streets will receive the innovation in Curitiba next.