SmartCitiesWorld Weekly Update - 15 September 2023

Connectivity lies at the heart of the modern urban experience, driving innovation, enhancing industry, and improving public life. Here, we're looking back at the week's news to demonstrate how public and private sector alike are leveraging connectivity to usher in a new era of digital transformation, economic growth, and improved quality of life.

Our deep dive begins in Jordan, where a strategic partnership in the utility sector is set to accelerate digital transformation – a testament to the power of connectivity in modernising essential services. The Jordan Electric Power Company (Jepco) will partner with Itron, Inc. n to advance its digital transformation on the Arabian Peninsula, integrating advanced digital technologies into utility operations to maximise the benefits of its current smart meter roll-out project to bolster the region’s energy security and sustainability. The resulting work will form part of Jepco's contribution to the implementation of Jordan’s Economic Modernisation Vision.

The rollout of improved connectivity technologies is not only limited to urban centres, of course; rural areas, too, are benefiting from the expansion of high-speed internet access. In South Carolina, two local companies have partnered on the expansion of fibre broadband to bridge the digital divide and bring the advantages of improved connectivity to the rural region. One of the partners, STL - Sterlite Technologies Limited , has already invested in a fibre optic technology manufacturing facility in Lugoff, South Carolina, with end-to-end advanced automation. Meanwhile, the other company, TruVista , plans to invest $12m in rural broadband, a significant portion of which will be dedicated to South Carolina.

Looking ahead of what the future of connectivity has in store, a new report published this week has suggested that the next-generation of wireless technology, WiFi7 7, will play a fundamental role in transforming how people worldwide will live, work and play . With faster speeds, lower latency, and increased capacity, WiFi 7 will enable a host of new applications and services, enabling smart city, enterprise, Industry 4.0, medical, consumer, and other applications that are currently “impractical or impossible” with other wired and wireless technologies.

As these stories demonstrate, connectivity in urban and rural settings has become an essential driver of progress in society, reshaping industries and enhancing public life. Both public and private sector organisations are harnessing the power of connectivity to create more resilient, prosperous, and inclusive communities – the foundation upon which innovation, economic growth, and an improved quality of life are being built.

Luke Antoniou , Senior editor, SmartCitiesWorld.net

Here is a round up of the headline stories from the past week:

1. NYC launches major plan to cut building emissions
2. How Wifi 7 could transform life, work and play
3. London boroughs expand electric vehicle charging networks
4. SPECIAL REPORT: Unlocking the cross-sector future of green buildings
5. City of Carpinteria launches solar programme for residents
6. Fibre broadband expanded across rural South Carolina
7. OPINION: Why we need citywide shared transport frameworks
8. Jordan utility partners to boost digital transformation
9. Companies team for second life battery storage system
10. Vancouver paves the way for near zero-emission buildings
11. Talq increases security of smart city certification process
12. Breaking down the barriers to accessible EV charging
13. Siemens inaugurates climate-neutral campus in Zug
14. City of Boston bolsters emergency preparedness
15. Collaboration aims to bring UAM services to US and UK
16. Seoul and Bogotá collaborate on integrated transportation
17. Electric vehicle charging Gigahub launches at NEC Birmingham
18. Why public engagement must be priority to achieve net zero
19. Paris expands district cooling system ahead of 2024 Olympics
20. TfL buses and Tubes hit pre-pandemic levels during bumper summer