Verizon has recently announced that it has partnered with the City of San Jose in the state of California for the deployment of additional fiber optic cables and installation of small cells as the carrier prepares to roll-out its 5G network in the near future. The small cells are an important component of the 5G network as it increases the capacity of the network, especially in locations that are densely populated or are not sufficiently covered by larger cell sites, and Verizon plans to install its network equipment on the light poles owned by the city government. The fiber optic cables, on the other hand, provide the necessary backhaul to connect the small cells to the carrier’s central network.
This deal is also beneficial for the City of San Jose, as the deployment of fiber optic cables and small cells will also boost the city’s IT infrastructure. The city has aimed to modernize its facilities as it builds a smarter city, and the deployment of 5G networks could play a role in realizing the local government’s goal. The reduced latency and increased network capacity offered by 5G networks enable carriers to offer smart city solutions, which could improve the city’s capacity to manage vehicular traffic or enhance the precision of the billing of utilities. Verizon, for its part, provided the local government with three smart city solutions, which claim to improve pedestrian and motorist safety, enhance monitoring of parking spaces, and track the vehicular fleet of the city government with the help of Verizon Connect service. The carrier will also contribute to the Digital Inclusion Fund of the City of San Jose, which finances the government’s efforts to improve educational outcomes of underserved residents through better internet access.
Verizon has been actively involved in the testing and deployment of network equipment in preparation for the commercial roll-out of 5G networks. The carrier will first deploy a fixed wireless broadband service that is based on the 5G network standard starting the second half of 2018, while the carrier’s mobile 5G service will be rolled out in a later date. Verizon, along with the telecommunications equipment supplier Nokia, has recently conducted a successful outdoor test of 5G New Radio systems, based on the specifications released by the 3GPP.