With the new 5G-features within our state-of-the-art mobile network, connections with guaranteed capacity become available, making it possible to directly analyze live images from mobile cameras. For example, a municipality can divert swelling traffic flows (motorists, cyclists, pedestrians) in time and prevent uncontrollable crowds. The municipality of Nijmegen is testing this technology at major events. The concert by the American funk rock band was one of the first experiments in this area.
Logistical challenge
The concerts in the Goffertpark have been attracting thousands of music lovers to Nijmegen for many years. When organizing such an event, a logistical challenge arises. Due to traffic on the road and on the hiking trails around the park, visitors regularly have to deal with traffic diversions and alternative routes.
Nijmegen and partners
The municipality could use an extra pair of eyes to monitor whether the traffic flow continues and to prevent unpleasant situations from arising. And so she decided to join forces with VodafoneZiggo, Ericsson, Fieldlab and Gigtech. This group provided a special mobile camera, which was placed on a high pole on the site where the American funk rock band performed on June 10.
Preventing chaos via control room
The mobile camera observed all areas near the Goffert Park. At the same time, a team watched from large screens in the control room. Because these video images came in without delay and hitches, this team was able to intervene immediately where necessary. This way there were no chaotic traffic situations or unnecessary congestion.
Network slicing: guaranteed capacity
"In order to be able to upload these camera images to the control room, we need guaranteed capacity from the mobile network" explains Juan Pablo Nieto, Senior Product Manager for 5G at VodafoneZiggo. "During busy events, this is always a challenge. All spectators, of course, use the mobile network at the same time, uploading their selfies, video’s, chat messages, voice calls etc. That is why we use the technique 'network slicing'. This feature allows us to make a 'slice' of the available network capacity and reserve it for uploading these images, avoiding technical failures or glitches even when the network is very busy. Mission accomplished."
Future of mobile connectivity
Network slicing is one of the new critical communications techniques that Vodafone is working on. With the new 5G features, Vodafone aims to be able to provide the level of service that each user and application needs. "We want to make networks smarter, to be capable of understanding the needs of each use case and adapt accordingly", mentions Juan Pablo. "In multiple opportunities, our customers ask not for higher speeds, but for other features such as lower latency, guaranteed capacity, higher availability, among many others. This means that the future of mobile networks is about focusing on many other parameters that have not been usually considered in regular mobile services. By being able to control and automate those services, we can provide our customers with the exact user experience they need. It is all about offering the customer what they demand."
New services
Vodafone has introduced network slicing, part of the new critical communications services. By offering both nationwide and local services, network slicing allows customers to use guaranteed mobile capacity services using Vodafone's state-of-the-art network, avoiding high investments and benefiting from a fast deployment. This new product can be combined with Vodafone's mobile private networks offering as well, adding the benefit of dedicated coverage and capacity, lower latency and enhanced security in specific locations.
Read more about VodafoneZiggo's network