The Connected Urban smart pole, strategically located near Cologne Cathedral and the central train station, is not just a high mast. It’s a symbol of today’s smart city innovation, that serves one of the city’s major fan zones on Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer. This advanced solution provides both high-performance lighting and robust 5G network capabilities, ensuring an enhanced mobile experience for thousands of football fans and city residents.

The successful installation of the CU Phosco Connected Urban smart pole in Cologne was a testament to the power of collaboration.

Telecommunications provider O₂ Telefónica, infrastructure specialist 5G Synergiewerk, NetCologne and energy provider RheinEnergie all played a crucial role in this achievement, demonstrating the strength of teamwork and shared vision.

The Connected Urban smart pole is designed to handle high bandwidth demands, offering seamless 5G and 4G/LTE connectivity for mobile telephony and data usage. This deployment ensures that Cologne’s mobile network is fully prepared to support the influx of visitors during the European Championship. In addition, O₂ Telefónica has implemented specific event parameters to optimise network performance during this high-demand period.

Matthias Sauder, Director of Mobile Access & Transport Networks at O₂Telefónica, expressed his enthusiasm: “With the 5G streetlight mast, we are offering an even better mobile network at Cologne Cathedral. Just in time for the European Football Championship, our customers in Cologne can look forward to additional network capacities. Football events frequently set new data records. Most recently, during the Champions League final, we exceeded the one million gigabytes per hour mark.”

Ralf Gerbershagen, Managing Director of 5G Synergiewerk GmbH, emphasised the collaborative effort behind the project: “We are proud of the new site in Cologne. At 19.3 meters high, we provide the most powerful 5G streetlight mast in Germany. This project is a great example of what can be achieved when all parties work together: We bring telecommunications providers, lighting technology experts and municipal utilities together to advance urban 5G expansion with innovative networking solutions.”

The Connected Urban smart pole is not just a temporary solution for the European Championship. It will remain a permanent fixture in Cologne, providing a high-performance mobile network for residents and visitors during major events, such as the annual Carnival, which attracts around 1.5 million visitors annually. This underscores its long-term value and contribution to the city’s infrastructure.

CU Phosco’s Connected Urban smart pole is a modular and fully customisable solution that integrates high-performance lighting and mobile network technology within a single, compact footprint. Replacing a conventional lamp post, this innovative intelligent pole leverages existing infrastructure to deliver both essential urban lighting and advanced telecommunications capabilities. Available up to 20 metres tall, as standard, it offers a greater range for mobile coverage, ensuring improved network reliability and seamless connection on the nationwide O₂ network via a dedicated fibre-optic link.

This installation in Cologne is part of O₂ Telefónica’s broader initiative to deploy 5G streetlight masts across Germany, following successful installations of Connected Urban in Frankfurt am Main and Würzburg. These medium cells enhance the existing mobile network by providing additional capacity at specific urban points. The 5G streetlight masts, including the one in Cologne, handle around 300 gigabytes of mobile data volume daily, supporting high-bandwidth and low-latency applications essential for digital innovation.

Keith Henry, CU Phosco Australia’s General Manager and Telecommunications Product Manager, commented: “We are proud to play a role in this groundbreaking initiative, helping to find a comprehensive answer to a growing problem in built-up urban cities. Connected Urban offers a tidy solution for municipalities in these situations, ticking many urban infrastructure boxes.”

Photo credit: Copyright 5G Synergiewerk | pido media.

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Whether a visitor or resident, nothing is more frustrating than losing signal, and with the increasing demands on digital infrastructure, including music and video streaming, the Metaverse, AI-based programs, augmented and virtual reality, and connected driving and autonomous logistics, the frequency of this occurring is only increasing.

Würzburg city has taken a significant step towards improving the quality of life for its residents and businesses. In a recent pilot project CU Phosco Lighting with its German partner, 5G Synergiewerk, the first 5G Connected Urban smart poles were installed in collaboration with telecommunications provider O2 Telefónica and the Würzburg public utilities, reducing signal issues and enhancing connectivity.

Replacing conventional lamp posts, the innovative solution efficiently utilises existing infrastructure and grid connections to provide citizens with night-time lighting and advanced telecommunications capabilities, setting a new standard for high-performance 4G and 5G mobile connectivity.

Keith Henry, CU Phosco Australia General Manager and Telecommunications product manager commented, “Connected Urban offers a transformative solution for local authorities and asset owners seeking a multi-functional structure which offers both functionality and aesthetic appeal, whilst delivering increased capacity and densification of the 4G and 5G networks at street level.”

Connected Urban is a smart city, modular, and fully customisable lighting and medium cell high-performance mobile network solution within a single, compact footprint. It offers an alternative to more traditional rooftop or cell phone mast locations. The installation marks a significant milestone in the evolution of street-level mobile network densification.

Matthias Sauder, Director of Mobile Access & Transport Networks at O2 Telefónica, said, “The 5G streetlights are an innovative approach to further improve the mobile network in Würzburg. These small cells have a big impact. They complement our local O2 mobile network and ensure an improved network experience for our customers when using mobile telephony and data.”

The deployment of Connected Urban has introduced a new era of mobile network infrastructure in Würzburg. The small cells embedded within streetlights have improved the local O2 mobile network, ensuring an enhanced user experience.

The collaborative efforts in this project have positively impacted the innovation drive and improved the quality of life for city residents and businesses.

Ralf Gerbershagen, Managing Director of 5G-Synergiewerk GmbH, comments, “The entire project is a good example of what can be achieved when everyone involved pulls together: the Würzburg public utilities, the city of Würzburg, and O2 Telefónica; we were all a good team and able to implement the project very quickly.”

For further information, please visit www.cuphosco.com.

Photo credit: Copyright 5G Synergiewerk | Sven’s Bildwerke

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Founded in 1985, the Shekhar Group has a diverse portfolio across various sectors, including Aviation and Fire and Rescue. Like CU Phosco Lighting, Shekhar Group’s extensive experience includes full turnkey services including supply and installation.

With their widespread reach within Nepal, they make an ideal partner for CU Phosco Lighting’s expansion into the Nepalese market. With a commitment to excellence and a proven track record of success, Shekhar Group aligns perfectly with CU Phosco Lighting’s vision for growth and customer satisfaction.

Commenting on the collaboration, Chris Marques, Business Development Manager at CU Phosco Lighting, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “We are delighted to join forces with Shekhar Group as our agent partner in Nepal. Their deep-rooted presence and strong reputation in the Nepalese market are sure to complement our goal of providing innovative lighting solutions to customers across the region.”

Managing Director Skand Amatya, also commented on the partnership, saying, “For over 35 years, we have been devoted to providing our clients with high professional standard products from reputed manufacturers. We are thrilled to add CU Phosco Lighting to our portfolio”.

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Nestled along England’s captivating East Anglian coast, Suffolk is a county that boasts picturesque landscapes, charming villages, and a rich historical heritage. With Ipswich as one of its oldest towns, Suffolk’s history can be traced back to the Stone Age, making it a living testament to the UK’s enduring past. The county’s diverse architectural styles, from ancient structures to eclectic designs, showcase its rich heritage.

In line with national climate initiatives, Suffolk County Council embarked on a mission to transition its street lighting infrastructure to LED to reduce carbon emissions and save costs. Having already succeeded in upgrading its functional lighting, the council turned its attention to its iconic decorative luminaires.

Supplying via Mark Bailey Associates both businesses worked with Bouygues Energies and Services to deliver Heritage lighting solutions for the relighting project.

Acrospire collaborated with the council’s contractors to provide a comprehensive solution, supplying 2,500 heritage luminaires. On a like-for-like basis, these schemes comprised a complementary blend of Muirfield, Streetcare and Birkdale lanterns, carefully selected to meet the project’s diverse requirements.

The Muirfield Lantern, a quintessential representation of a traditional 4-sided post-top lantern, seamlessly marries timeless aesthetics with modern LED technology. This transformation preserves the classic appeal of gas lantern aesthetics while entering an energy-efficient era of unprecedented energy savings.

On the other hand, the Birkdale Heritage Lantern takes the legacy of traditional fixtures to new heights by embracing cutting-edge LED technology. It captures the essence of traditional design while championing energy efficiency, a key project goal.
Blending with the two Victorian styled lanterns, Streetcare a compact post top, finishes the classic heritage appearance, complementing Suffolk’s mix of architecture. Crafted from the best British materials, each lantern epitomises quality and durability.

James Brooker, Area Sales Manager (South East) at Acrospire, commented, “Our success in this project can be attributed to our unwavering dedication to delivering energy savings. In a world of choices, it boiled down to three fundamental factors: cost-effectiveness, unmatched 12-year warranties, and a product that resonated with our partners. We take immense pride in the satisfaction expressed by our clients, who have found our heritage range ideal for their stunning part of the world.”

Acrospire’s heritage lighting upgrade contributed to the project’s overall savings. The remarkable achievement of a 76 percent reduction in energy usage translates into substantial benefits for Suffolk County Council, amounting to £1.7 million in annual electricity cost savings. These impressive results underscore the effectiveness of Acrospire’s approach in harmonising heritage aesthetics with cutting-edge technology to deliver industry-leading energy efficiency.

Richard Webster, Asset Manager – Street Lighting at Suffolk County Council/Suffolk Highways and Project Director Adept Live Labs praised the project’s outcomes, saying, “The transition to these state-of-the-art heritage LED lanterns represents another significant stride toward our mission of reducing lighting energy expenditure. As we continue to embrace these innovations, they bring us closer to our overarching commitment to become a carbon-neutral organisation by 2030.

Acrospire’s 12-year warranty further solidifies our confidence in the durability of this British-made product, made possible through the assembly of components within a 60-mile radius of their factory. It’s a testament to what we are trying to achieve here in Suffolk.”

The post Bringing energy efficiency to Suffolk’s historic streets appeared first on A1 Lighting Magazine.

The EVIS Pillar Range is a forward-thinking solution in the EV infrastructure and highways sector, purpose-built to meet the increasing demand for accessible, safe, secure, and dependable EV charging networks. With a diverse selection of over 80 standard designs and incoming supply ratings ranging from 100A to 630A, supporting 7kW to 150kW EV charge points, EVIS is designed to cater to a wide range of EV charging needs, from on-street charging to fast-charging hubs.

Managing Director, John Fox, commented: “Receiving the Most Innovative Product of the Year award from the HEA is a significant recognition, and reflective of the team’s hard work and vision to simplify specification and accessibility for both DNO and private applications”.

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First launched at the 2022 HEA Annual Conference, Aeromax, developed in partnership with Green Frog Systems, is a standalone, solar-powered luminaire and energy storage system capable of powering not just lighting but also Smart City devices, including sensors and CCTV.

The Build Back Better initiative, launched in 2021, champions innovation, creativity, environmental leadership and social purpose. The awards are judged by sector-specific experts, including seasoned practitioners, specifiers, academics, scientists, and industry end users. The diverse panel rigorously assessed Aeromax based on its innovation, unique attributes, and transformative potential within the sector.

When asked about this prestigious recognition, Acrospire’s Technical Director, Neil Purdue, expressed his excitement: “We are thrilled to receive the Build Back Better Green Award for Aeromax. A GREEN rating is reserved for products designed and manufactured with a strong focus on environmental responsibility, underscoring our dedication to UK tried and tested sustainable solar lighting. A lighting designer’s dream, we believe in creating products that not only meet the needs of our clients (market-leading autonomy and photometric flexibility) but also contribute to a greener future.”

As customers continue to face environmental challenges, including meeting net zero targets, environmentally friendly solar lighting not only aligns with the principles of the circular economy but also serves as a benchmark for others in the industry to follow.

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“We are excited to partner with VolkerHighways and Luton Council on this project,” said Acrospire Area Sales Manager James Brooker. “Our Defender solar street lighting is the perfect solution for these public spaces, as it provides clean, efficient, and sustainable lighting that will benefit the community for years to come.”

The Defender solar street light is designed specifically for the UK market and features several innovative technologies that make it ideal for public spaces. The passive lanterns automatically come on at night and remain at 20 percent brightness until someone is within 15 metres on either side of the streetlight, where it then switches to full power. Each streetlight is evenly spaced 30 metres apart, and the units require no maintenance other than cleaning every few years. Defender can be provided with the SAM (Solar Asset Monitoring) system, which allows the maintenance team to remotely monitor the light’s performance, identify potential faults, and adjust the brightness settings.

This installation isn’t just about saving energy and reducing carbon emissions; it’s also focused on creating safer and more inviting public spaces. David Easton, Operations Director for VolkerHighways, said: “Solar Street lighting provides continuous light while saving optimal energy and light pollution. It’s great to see Luton Council making use of these eco-friendly innovations. The parks are now well-lit, making the areas safer for park users and residents.”

Cllr Javed Hussain, the portfolio holder for Sustainable Development and Highways, said, “Every action we take as a council matters when it comes to reducing our town’s carbon emissions. Installing zero carbon street lighting in these areas will save emissions and money and help keep our residents safe at night.”

The installation of the Defender in Luton is part of a broader trend of municipalities and businesses adopting solar street lighting solutions. Solar street lighting is a cost-effective and sustainable way to light public spaces, and it can help to reduce energy consumption, carbon emissions, and light pollution.

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