Microsoft recently announced CityNext, a global initiative focused on developing smart cities throughout the world. With CityNext, city leaders and urban planners use Microsoft products to find new ways to use existing infrastructure, including city-owned broadband assets, to enhance safety and productivity while reducing costs.
CityNext encourages cities to use Microsoft products to collect big data and access cloud-powered applications on a variety of city functions including energy, water, buildings, public safety, transportation, education, health and government administration. By bringing these departments together in a way that critical information flows seamlessly, cities can enhance economic, social and environmental development.
“Working with our vast Microsoft Partner Network, we can scale solutions and services to do ‘New with Less,’” said Laura Ipsen, corporate vice president of Microsoft Worldwide Public Sector. “This enables cities to better compete in the global marketplace, drive citizen engagement, and foster economic, social and environmental sustainability.”
In addition to monitoring system wide fluctuations in real time, CityNext can help city leaders engage citizens and incorporate public demands into the decision-making process, such as improving broadband connectivity in particular neighborhoods and business areas.
Nearly a dozen cities have already signed up for CityNext, including Auckland, New Zealand, Barcelona, Spain, Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of China and Philadelphia, USA.
“Many cities are now in the first stages of implementing smart technology solutions as part of a 10- to 15-year path to realizing full transformation potential,” said Ruthbea Yesner Clarke, director of the Smart Cities Strategies program at IDC. “The result of ‘smart city’ initiatives will ultimately enable cities to attract businesses and citizens to build more vibrant city landscapes and competitive economies.”
If cities want to use Microsoft CityNext, high-speed connectivity is a must. GeoTel Communications’ metro fiber maps, fiber lit buildings and long haul fiber can help city officials and urban planners analyze existing telecom networks and make informed decisions for planning and expanding these networks so they can take advantage of CityNext. Contact GeoTel Communications at (800) 277-2172 for custom-made fiber maps, as well as a variety of other telecom data products.
