INWIT and A2A Deploy 5G Small Cells on Lighting Poles in Milan

Published on November 18, 2024

A partnership between INWIT, an Italian digital infrastructure company, and A2A Smart City, a subsidiary of A2A, aims to equip Milan’s smart city infrastructure with 5G small cells on a network of up to 1,000 light poles across the city. This project is designed to bolster 5G coverage and density to meet the increasing demand for high-speed connectivity in key urban areas.

The first phase of the project has seen the installation of small cells in central locations such as Duomo, Brera, Garibaldi-Repubblica, and Parco Lambro-Cimiano. These microcells, mounted on public lighting poles managed by A2A Illuminazione Pubblica, are connected via A2A Smart City’s optical fiber network and have been activated by telco provider TIM. This integration should enhance the 5G network’s capacity to handle high data volumes, including video streaming, and should provide connectivity support for multiple mobile operators.

Technically, these microcells complement existing macro-coverage systems by integrating with telecommunications towers and providing dense, high-speed data transmission in areas of concentrated demand. By utilizing existing public lighting infrastructure, the project aim to minimize additional land use, making it an environmentally sustainable solution while also reducing operational costs.

The A2A Smart City component of the project extends beyond connectivity, incorporating advanced features such as LED lighting that cuts energy consumption by 75%, traffic management sensors, video surveillance systems, and EV charging points. These technologies create a synergistic ecosystem, making Milan’s public lighting network a critical hub for smart city applications. The integration of such infrastructure is expected to ensure better resource utilization, lowers emissions, and drives smart urban solutions.

INWIT’s ongoing efforts in Milan also include investments in distributed antenna systems (DAS) and more than 600 multi-operator telecom towers across the city. This project supports Milan’s vision to evolve into a smart city leader in Europe, with significant implications for connectivity, sustainability, and citizen services in anticipation of major events like the 2026 Olympic Games.

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