5G Revolution For Smart Stadiums, Hospitals And Traffic Lights

The rollout of super-fast 5G mobile networks in Israel will allow smart traffic lights to reduce congestion, as well as smart sports stadiums and smart hospitals.

The fifth-generation technology is 10 times faster than 4G and will enable the introduction of an array of data-heavy applications that would otherwise be unworkable, especially in densely populated cities.

Communications Ministry director general Liran Avisar Ben Horin said yesterday that smart traffic lights using 5G would prevent congestion and accidents, and that hospital patients will be able to receive immediate medical care remotely.

The ministry is seeking bids from companies to operate new 5G frequencies. “I call on the cellular companies to deploy 5G sites all over the country to improve the quality of life of their customers and place Israel at the forefront of global innovation,” said Ben Horin.

In August the former Minister of Communications, Yoaz Hendel, explained how private 5G networks – wireless infrastructures for a specific site – could be used by autonomous agriculture, autonomous vehicles, stadiums, hospitals, industrial plants, universities and more.

“It can transform a simple stadium into a smart system capable of identifying and approving the entry of thousands of fans, direct them toward free parking, to a food outlet with a short queue, and at the same time to produce high-quality shared media to enhance the experience,” he said.

“Israel nowadays is a leader in the pace of optical fiber roll-out and it will also be a leader in fifth-generation innovative technologies and applications.”