edotco Malaysia Pioneers Smart Street Asset In Preparation 5G Implementation In Penang

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edotco Malaysia Pioneers Smart Street Asset In Preparation 5G Implementation In Penang

(L-R) Encik Rizal bin Dato Abdul Malek, Head of Northern Region of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Dato’ Sr Haji Rozali bin Haji Mohamud, Municipal President of Seberang Perai, Yang Berhormat Tuan Jagdeep Singh Deo A/L Karpal Singh, Penang Government, Housing and Town & Country Planning Committee Chairman, Yang Berhormat Dr. Afif bin Bahardin, Penang State Executive Councillor for Agriculture and Agro-based Industries, Rural Development and Health, and Encik Wan Zainal Adileen bin Dato’ Wan Puteh, Chief Regional Officer of edotco Group

edotco Malaysia Sdn Bhd successfully launched a Smart Bus Shelter equipped with telecommunication solutions in line with Malaysia’s digital goals. The proof of concept (POC) provides coverage at street level and is a testbed for a connected Penang in preparation for 5G implementation.

The Smart Street Asset was developed in partnership with Penang State Government and Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP).This particular Smart Bus Shelter is located in Lengkok Tenggiri, Seberang Perai. The project supports Penang Vision 2030 that among others, outlines investment to strengthen mobility, connectivity and digital infrastructure, and integrate municipal services with smart technologies.

In addition to a telecommunications solution in the form of small cells with high capacity throughput, it has additional features built into the bus shelter. The shelter is equipped with a charging facility, a CCTV camera as well as a panic button to enhance safety. It also acts as a WiFi hotspot. Energy is also provided by rooftop solar panels which reduces dependency on the grid.

Penang Local Government, Housing, and Town & Country Planning Committee Chairman, Jagdeep Singh Deo said;

“This smart bus shelter pilot project is carried out as part of the efforts to transform Penang into a smart city, which is the focus for 2019. The success of this project changes the way we can approach our street assets for effective spatial planning. It demonstrates that a multipurpose bus shelter integrated with smart technologies and convenient add-ons for public use is workable. The success of this proof of concept paves the way for Penang to be one of the leading states ready for 5G adoption.”

5G requires densification of telecommunications infrastructure to realise its full potential and ensure smooth user experience.

Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) recently reported that Malaysians increasingly access the internet via smartphones (93.1% in 2018) compared to four years ago (74.3% in 2014). It is projected that by 2022, the average data consumption per user will be 1GB a day. Street assets can address this need and meet the bandwidth requirement.