{"id":17431,"date":"2020-03-19T03:45:23","date_gmt":"2020-03-19T10:45:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/?p=17431"},"modified":"2020-03-23T09:48:32","modified_gmt":"2020-03-23T16:48:32","slug":"edmonton-looking-at-5g-to-be-digital-tech-leader","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/?p=17431","title":{"rendered":"Edmonton looking at 5G to be digital tech leader"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Alex Antoneshyn<\/a>\u00a0Journalist<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Published Monday, October 28, 2019 10:01PM MDT<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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City considering 5G pilot<\/a><\/h2>\n
In examining how to become a leader in the new field of 5G technology, the City of Edmonton is considering running a pilot project.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The City of Edmonton is exploring the idea of piloting a small 5G network on Whyte Avenue as part of its endeavor to be a leader in digital technology. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On Monday, the executive committee asked administration to look at setting up the test after receiving a report on the requirements and impacts of 5G infrastructure.<\/span><\/p>\n

The technology has a faster download speed than LTE (long term evolution) networks and can connect more devices simultaneously.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the report, 5G could be used to provide real-time data on traffic, allowing the City to better manage patterns or high-risk locations. It could also be used to monitor Edmonton’s growth patterns or detect acute climate events and environmental changes.<\/span><\/p>\n

“The more information and data about patterns of what we are doing, the more we can harness the technology and power of computing to come up with better answers for ourselves,” said Ward 8 Councillor Ben Henderson.<\/span><\/p>\n

“The trade-off for that is: How do you make sure the information that you are getting is not personally identifiable and doesn’t deal with privacy issues?”<\/span><\/p>\n

Indeed, the report delivered to the committee notes the use and marketplace of 5G networks is limited\u2014even around the world\u2014due to its youth. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, if Edmonton were to provide 5G, it would likely strength existing and attract new businesses and industries, the report says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Administration consulted the provincial government, several post-secondary schools<\/strong><\/mark>, technology investors, as well as Edmonton Global and Edmonton Economic Development Corporation for the research.<\/span><\/p>\n

It will deliver the next report on setting up a pilot by April 2020.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

With files from CTV Edmonton’s Jeremy Thompson<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

https:\/\/edmonton.ctvnews.ca\/edmonton-looking-at-5g-to-be-digital-tech-leader-1.4660024<\/a><\/p>\n

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5G technology could be destined for Edmonton<\/h1>\n

City’s proposed digital plan includes the super fast wireless technology<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Natasha Riebe<\/a><\/span> \u00b7 <\/span>CBC News \u00b7 <\/span>
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Edmonton could be on the cutting edge of technology as it continues to explore the\u00a0option of installing a\u00a05G network, which would offer improved wireless\u00a0speeds, connectivity and stability.<\/p>\n

At an executive committee meeting Monday at city hall, councillors approved a digital action plan\u00a0based on implementing the fifth generation of\u00a0wireless technology.<\/p>\n

The technology is available in a limited number of countries but is not yet supported in Canada,\u00a0though it could be as early as the end of 2020.<\/p>\n

Coun. Ben Henderson said the technology will give the city momentum.<\/p>\n

“I think this is exciting,” Henderson said at the meeting. “If we don’t do this kind of thing, we will regret it later.”<\/p>\n

The report presented to the committee did not include costs.<\/p>\n