Telecommunications play a significant role in future smart cities

As Smart City concepts become more common, the amount of technology on city streets is increasing. Two areas developing particularly rapidly are smart transportation systems and smart lighting. Data transmission solutions play a central role in this development. Nodeon’s strength lies in managing and integrating the three key street technology areas: telecommunications, electricity, and lighting.

Constantly evolving street technology solutions in cities require a reliable data transmission connection. This connection must integrate seamlessly with various equipment and systems.

Today, there are several technological solutions available for data transmission. These include fixed network connections, mobile data transfer, and new IoT-focused solutions.

Maximizing urban copper networks for enhanced data connectivity

Cities have a decades-old asset: the network of street-side copper cabling. This should be effectively utilized for current and future data transmission needs.

Traditionally, copper networks have been used primarily to connect traffic signal controllers. However, with modern open network deployment methods, it can also provide data transmission connectivity for other technical systems placed along city streets.

In Jyväskylä, Nodeon implemented an extensive multi-service network platform for the city’s street technology. It combines copper technology with mobile data transfer.

A multi-service network platform for street technology in Jyväskylä

Nodeon created a solution for the city of Jyväskylä that fully utilizes the existing copper infrastructure. It integrates newer sections of the street network equipped with fiber optics and allows secure integration of mobile network-connected devices into the city’s overall network.

The operational network is implemented with robust security measures, where all connected systems are placed within their own secure logical network segments. Devices connected via mobile networks are securely integrated using encrypted connections. System suppliers have secure remote access solutions for maintenance and upkeep, with restricted access to other suppliers’ systems.

The solution maximizes the use of the copper network by employing modern broadband DSL technologies. The network includes fault-tolerant ring topologies, using multiple pairs of copper cables for high data transfer speeds over long distances, spanning several kilometers. The devices can also simultaneously use both copper and fiber links.

Fault-tolerant ring networks along the streets are connected through DSL concentrators to routing and logically segmented core switches. These are connected to encryption devices for remote connections.

Nodeon has executed the network design, implementation, and deployment. Currently, the network is controlled and managed by Nodeon’s maintenance service. Our maintenance is also responsible for approximately half of Finland’s main road and tunnel technical traffic control and management systems.