Scenario planning for 5G light poles in smart cities

The evolution of new mobile broadband network (5G technology) will bring new service and network capabilities for smart cities. Small cells utilizing smart light poles as integrated base stations along streets represent a structural evolution in smart cities. In addition to street lighting, smart light poles are not only capable of being a 5G access point, but also a smart platform of multiple sensors for supporting new localized city services. In order to better understand the potential of 5G light pole business opportunities, we have conducted a scenario planning study for defining the possible futures of 5G light poles. Experts from industry and academia with technology and innovation management background are involved in the process of analyzing the possible future scenarios. We construct four main scenarios by identifying the key trends and uncertainties based on insight of experts and literature. The identification and description of these scenarios demonstrates the various possible contributions of 5G technology in smart cities, thus providing a framework of strategy planning for the involved stakeholders.