Beltug: Citymesh sits down with Orange, Telenet and Proximus

On 25 January, Citymesh participated in a discussion table for the Beltug event 'From 5G indoor to 5G MEC and back'. As Belgium’s fourth operator, the national 5G specialist and with more than 15 years of experience in wireless networks, we sat down with Orange, Proximus and Telenet for an open discussion on the future of 5G. Our goal? As always, removing barriers, coming up with solutions and sharing both knowledge and experience. And because Citymesh stands for transparent communication, we are happy to share our five takeaways from that evening. Better yet, our 5 ‘Gs’…

Guaranteed safety

Very simply explained, one of the great strengths of 5G is that it can also be offered as a private network. It is cost-effective and very easy to implement. A private network consists of a few micromasts that ensure that a specific area gets private coverage. This gives you complete control over the size of the area and, more importantly, security, as unlike the public grid, access is restricted. In short, setting up a private network can ensure operational function and security.

Citymesh already does this for Brussels Airport, for example. The top priority at an airport is security. So good connectivity is important for conducting operations and exchanging information. Therefore, we focus on three issues:

• site-wide connectivity in all conditions
• faster response and better service for passengers
• better support for mission- and business-critical communications

More concretely, 5G permits 'slicing’, in which part of a network’s capacity is reserved for crisis communications, allowing it to remain available to emergency services at all times. It then no longer matters how busy the network is, as there is always enough capacity to send data. In addition, a private network is also suitable for viewing accidents on the tarmac or for streaming important live images in crisis situations. The connection is also free, which can mean considerable cost savings. Opting for a private mobile network will make the airport's operations more efficient and also greatly improve the service for passengers.

Go faster

Fast, faster, fastest. Because 5G has less latency, or ‘delay’, than 4G, it opens the door to a world of new opportunities and applications. By deploying these networks, we can enable remote operations. In video streaming, this means that a video recorded with a 4K camera can be broadcast without delay – just think about the implications for livestreaming major events. This also has applications for remote-controlled vehicles. When a command is given from afar, the vehicle needs to carry out the required action immediately and without delay. 5G is fast and reliable enough for this.

Goodbye stressful decision-making, hello hybrid future

Citymesh listens to the needs of its audience. We know that business operations do not end at a company’s front door. That’s why we’re always striving for flawless interactions between private and public networks. But can we live up to our words? Yes we can! This is how Seafar developed the technology to enable autonomous sailing. For this to run smoothly, flawless connectivity was needed.

Citymesh provides a reliable and stable communication link between the ship and the control centre. We do this using a hybrid Wi-Fi network, private 5G and a public 4G network. So for Citymesh, the future is not an either-or story, but an and-and story. We no longer choose between what best suits the needs of your business and what suits the surrounding environment. Now we start with the question: what is the best solution for all those needs?

Good innovation requires connectivity

Connectivity is the start of everything, and without it there would be no ‘trinity of innovation’.

But what exactly is that? The 'trinity of innovation' is the interplay between 5G, artificial intelligence and the hybrid cloud: a repository in which data and apps can be moved between two environments. 5G gives the cloud eyes and hands, while artificial intelligence gives machines an autonomous thinking brain.

Footfall AI, a solution by Citymesh for Westtoer, is a great example. The Footfall AI is based on image sensors and uses Machine Learning capabilities for flexible monitoring. Footfall does not follow a set of pre-programmed rules (an algorithm), but learns by using mathematical calculations to recognise patterns independently. The solution accurately and anonymously monitors how many people are in a predetermined area, such as a shopping street. In this way, Citymesh, together with the Cegeka Family, has provided a scalable and future-proof platform with a clear focus on privacy and secure use of data.

Get on board with Citymesh

Wondering what we have to offer, or looking for a solution for your business? You make the appointment, and we’ll make the coffee.