Government industry trends are showing public and free wifi are essential for cities and communities.
Go on Google and type “places with” and the results will need no explanation. “Places with wifi near me” come before anything else, including food and entertainment.
Current figures speak volumes: 58% of EU citizens who need public services choose to go online says the EU Digital Economy Report*; there are currently 3.6 billion mobile internet users worldwide and 5 bn are expected by 2025 which would account for 61% of the population; 60% of connections are via smartphone, projected to grow to 79% by 2025; there are 9.1 bn IoT connections currently and they are projected to grow to 25 bn by 2025**.
But it’s not just about citizens. Public employees in government offices are more mobile and connected, while workers in the field, such as maintenance crews, are better protected with extended wifi connectivity.
Other important public connectivity users are public services and smart city solutions: city applications, e-city guides, smart energy metering, smart parking, digital display, smart health, smart video protection services all rely on a secure municipal wifi solution. There are over 250 smart city projects in approximately 200 cities around the world, the majority focusing on government initiatives, says a report from Navigant Research.*** These cities are going beyond open data policies to “the exploitation of a wide range of data sources and the establishment of city platforms for information sharing and use of analytics.” The use of this multitude of data requires enhanced, secured connectivity.
All this connectivity is stressing traditional network infrastructures, and visibly, the demand is only going to grow. With every connection, and every Internet of Things (IoT) system, the network becomes a gateway for a potential cyberattack. Therefore, a reliable, secure and high-performance wifi is moving to the top of the agenda for public sector organizations.
What is the basis of a reliable, secure, free public wifi access?
• An Enterprise-grade, ubiquitous connectivity, simply and manageably
• Minimal failure and optimal performance
• Data security for both individual users and connected objects
To help government organizations select the right solution for their public wifi and smart city networks, together with our experts, we have created a dedicated Public WiFi How to’s series.
Read the next blog in the series: How to build a solid public wifi network.
Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise has developed an adapted WLAN product line that keeps in mind tourists and local citizens satisfaction, the IoT explosion and the latest standards. It was designed to be fit for the government industry. Are you exploring a wi-fi solution for your community or city? Explore the public wi-fi vendor comparison.
*EU - Digital Economy and Society Index Report 2018 - Digital Public Services
**GSMA – Mobile economy
***More than 250 smart city projects exist in 178 cities worldwide
Cristina Grigoras
Strategic industries marketing at Alcatel-Lucent EnterpriseCristina is a marketing and communication specialist with 10 years experience in telecommunication, media and advertising. Currently Strategic Industries Marketing Manager at Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise. Before this role, she was Services and Professional Services Marketing-Communications with ALE. But also Brand and Strategy Manager in business media, advertising and the publishing industry.
"My media background sparked my passion for stories. My telecom background taught me how a customer need, answered with a personalized and elegant solution, can bring together separate systems and ultimately people, to carry a business closer to its vision and its customers. Or how we say in ALE, how to make everything and everyone connect. My blog posts cover these type of experiences, our customers' and our own champions' stories, backed by industry trends."
Cristina is a Chartered Marketer and holds a Communications and P.R. degree with the University of Bucharest. About the authorLatest Blogs
Cybersecurity: From A to Z on campus
Institutions need to adopt a ‘trust no one’ cybersecurity strategy that addresses all users, devices and applications.
Trend watch: OT-IT convergence in energy and utilities
Operational and Information technology convergence is changing how energy and utilities manage their business going forward.
Five steps to ZTNA cybersecurity on campus
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) cybersecurity allows academic institutions to realise important benefits across all operations.
Education under siege
A rise in cyberattacks - particularly ransomware - is impacting academic institutions, putting educational goals at risk.