Enabling massive data upload in urban environments with 5G mmWave

In 2021, we have seen an increasing demand for higher network capacity, higher speeds, and a better overall network experience. The introduction of 5G is opening a whole host of new use cases for data intense applications; and Public Transport networks are at the helm of this trend.

Customers expect quick, efficient, and safe journeys. One way to enable this is by ensuring that local governments, security, and public safety forces can access transport and surveillance data in real time.

To achieve this, public authorities need a decentralised, high bandwidth network of cameras and network nodes so data can be transferred more easily and at significant higher speeds. It is vital to move from manual data collection to a digitalised camera network that supplies data automatically to the relevant control centres and enables rapid actions based on real-time insight.

In the future, there will be a range of services and applications within urban environments that will benefit from and come to rely on this kind of massive data upload. What key trends are driving this shift and how will massive data upload support public safety in the future?

Growing camera density and sophistication

Both the increase of public transport services and vehicles on the roads have led to a higher number of cameras onboard and along many routes. With the unit cost of cameras going down, and the increased demand for public safety, this trend will continue to develop with more cameras being placed throughout urban environments to collect data over a greater area.

Crucially, the quality of these cameras is also improving. Manufacturers are making highly sophisticated camera devices, with 4K and 8K resolutions becoming more commonplace. This means that these cameras are capturing a significantly higher amount of data compared to current models and will thus require much higher bandwidth in order to better serve transport operators and public safety teams with high resolution video feeds.

Wireless complementing fibre

Laying fibre in urban environments is not always a commercially feasible option — it is disruptive, expensive, and time-consuming to implement. Covering the last 100m with wireless connections instead, is a trend that seamlessly complements the fibre solution already in place. Deploying a network of wireless, small form factor nodes, using mmWave networking equipment for example, creates a wide-range mesh network that provides reliable and high bandwidth connectivity across the entire network. Each node emits omnidirectionally and enables the movement of data at pace, without having to lay more fibre.

How mmWave enables massive data upload


Receiving visual, audio, and sensory data in real time is vital for control centres in order to support rapid response of public safety and security services. Trying to enable this on existing systems would add a significant amount of pressure to legacy networks that often do not have the required range, low latency or high bandwidth to support the amount of data that would need to be transferred.

However, a separate 5G mmWave dedicated private network, utilised specifically for security and CCTV operations, keeps networks for camera data transfer completely separate from public Wi-Fi networks or systems used for signalling. This ensures additional reliability and more control over essential security data, as well as no degradation of service, as this private network is unaffected by what happens to any other network that transport operators rely on.

Rather than data collection during servicing hours, which saturates the available bandwidth almost immediately, operators can collect data on the move, when the vehicle or train passes designated points on its journey, enabling much faster incident response. By using sophisticated mmWave trackside/roadside and vehicular roof-mounted nodes no breaks in the connection can occur. A mmWave network provides operators with carrier-grade performance at ranges of up to 3km with the unique ability to support High-Speed Transport applications at speeds in excess of 300 km/h. At 3+ gigabits per second per link, network operators can take advantage of robust, low latency and high bandwidth networks to enable the rapid response of their security teams.

Our 5G mmWave equipment is ideally suited for massive data upload in urban areas. It is ‘plug and play’, meaning it is quick and easy to deploy and is making use of existing infrastructure wherever possible. It does not require any complex, power-hungry or expensive ‘core network’ infrastructure either, making it easier to scale and more flexible to deploy – ideal for complex environments.

To learn more about our 5G mmWave technology get in touch with us today.