EDOTCO Enabling Smart Street Furniture For SG Readiness

 

Our society relies heavily on information technology, connectivity, and communication. In today’s digital ecosys- tem, telecommunication has become the foundation for businesses, governments, communities, and families to connect and share information seamlessly. Therefore, every action EDOTCO takes is centered on the need for an improved and sustainable telecommunications ecosystem.

 

Bangladesh has made rapid socio-economic progress over the past few decades which is evident in their recent graduation from Least Development Country (LDC) to a developed Country by 2026. Infrastructures such as the Metrorail, the Padma Bridge, the elevated expressway, and an increasing number of skyscrapers are examples of rapid urbanization, particularly in the metropolitan areas.

 

Connectivity has also become a key component of Bangladesh's socioeconomic development. This has created an increased demand for advanced connectivity that is fast and reliable. Substantial technological advancements have resulted in considerable progress in the telecommunication industry in recent years that can cater for this demand. Bangladesh's digital vision has further contributed to the accelerated demand that needs to be fulfilled in connecting the unconnected.

 

 

 

Launched in 2016, the ’Tower fo Community’ CSR Program has served around 8000 households across the country living near edotco Towers through the surplus electricity produced from its sustainable energy solutions for the telecom towers.

 

In recent years, 5G has been the most talked-about technology in the telecommunications industry. 5G network consists of two key components: a 5G enabled device on the user end and a 5G related network infrastructure to ensure seamless smartphone connectivity. Compared to 4G network, 5G uses high-frequency waves and have a much faster data transfer rate. In Bangladesh, 5G came into reality with the experimental inauguration by Teletalk in December 2021. As the country's leading telecommunications infrastructure provider, EDOTCO is driving this technological advancement by enabling NextGen solutions such as Smart Pole.

 

The demand for mobile broadband is driving the need for small-cell infrastructure solutions to supplement the microcellular layer of commercial cellular coverage in today’s 4G networks and, eventually, 5G deployments. Street furniture can be used to expand the network using small cells, Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS), backhaul, and other means of transmitting and increasing RF coverage to augment microcellular tower deployments. These infrastructure solutions facilitate network densification under the microcellular layer in dense urban areas where additional capacity is required.

 

To capitalize on the rapid shift of technology, EDOTCO Bangladesh, in partnership with Dhaka North City Corpora- tion, deployed the first Street Furniture ‘Smart Lamp Pole’ in July 2020 at Banani, Dhaka. The Smart Street Pole is the first of its kind telecom infrastructure solution in Bangladesh designed by the talented engineers from the EDOTCO Center of Design Excellence (CoDE) team. This cutting-edge modern-day connectivity solution ensures improved network connectivity and heavy data transmission in densely populated urban areas. This unique one-stop solution helps Mobile Network Operators and loT partners to enhance their network capacity/coverage and to meet the emerging demand for increased data usage by the end consumers. In addition, this innovative and sustainable solution will reduce data congestion, provide positive customer experiences, and contribute to the nation’s digital ambitions by addressing its 5G infra readiness.

 

As of today, EDOTCO has installed one smart pole in Dhaka, two in Chittagong, and two in Sylhet city corporations. To ensure improved network connectivity and achieve the digital vision of Bangladesh, it is critical to build sharable telecommunication infrastructure suitable for both urban and rural areas. The deployment of the Smart Street Pole demonstrates EDOTCO's thought leadership approach in providing sustainable and efficient network connectivity across the country. EDOTCO is determined to introduce additional next generation telecoms infrastructure solutions to ensure the nation’s 5G readiness. EDOTCO aims to deploy these smart solutions in all major metropoli- tan cities in Bangladesh so that the citizens can enjoy the benefits of a smart city as well as the best connectivity experience

 

 

Sumona initially took an active interest in her studies. However, her family could not afford to regularly recharge the lights or candles so that she could continue her nighttime education. As a result, she lost her commitment to regular- ly attending school. In her village, darkness falls at 6 p.m., which makes it difficult for her and other young students to concentrate on schoolwork during the sweltering summer months. The lack of electricity had made it difficult for the entire community to complete their required work at night.

 

Abul Karim, the proprietor of a small grocery store in a remote village in Ramu, had the same experience as he used to close his store at dusk because there were no streetlights to give him a sense of safety and security at night. The same is true for the other shopkeepers; the lack of electricity had become a major concern for the entire community and resulted in substantial financial losses over the years. Due to the absence of streetlights, residents of this under- served neighborhood avoided leaving their homes after sunset. But Rahima Khatun from Satkhira and Halima Begum from Maheskhali had a very different struggle than Sumona or Abdul Karim. As residents of an underserved coastal community, their greatest suffering was the lack of pure drinking water. This was a way of life for them; consequently, the majority of the inhabitants suffered from various skin diseases and stomach ailments as a result of drinking salty and contaminated water daily

 

Throughout the years, the lack of electricity has deprived a large number of underserved communities in Bangla- desh of the country’s economic growth.edotco  Bangladesh, a telecommunication infrastructure company, aims to connect the nation by providing sustain- able telecom infrastructure solutions. As part of its commitment to national building connectivity, it is also working to connect underserved communities to national economic growth by enhancing the standard of living of under- served communities located near its towers since its commencement.

 

 

Launched in 2016, the ’Tower to Power’ and ’Tower to Water' initiatives under the ’Tower to Community’ CSR Program are intended to address the fundamental needs of the underserved community. This CSR initiative reaffirms edotco’s dedication to bringing positive and sustainable changes to the lifestyle of the community’s residents and to assisting the marginalised communities surrounding its towers by utilising solar energy. To date, over 8000 underserved households across the nation have benefited from the programme.

 

In 2022, under the Tower to Power initiative, edotco Bangladesh launched the first CSR Solar Street Lamp project in Ramu and Kutubdia, Cox's Bazaar by harnessing solar energy from its Towers in an effort to marginalise the community benefit. The installation of Solar Street Lamps enables locals to continue working and conducting business after sunset, thereby contributing to the economic growth of the community as a whole. In addition to enhancing the safety of children and women, the project facilitates their use of the streets at night. More than 2,800 people without access to the national grid now directly benefit from this Solar Street Lamp.

 

The ’Tower to Water’ initiative aims to provide safe drinking water to communities that struggle to obtain pure water due to a dearth of water sources. Approximately 5000 house- holds in underserved communities across the nation have benefited from this CSR initiative to date. 

 

In 2020, edotco partnered with BRAC for the first time in accordance with the Social Entrepreneurship Model by establishing a Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and allowing the local community to operate it to ensure that everyone has access to safe drinking water.

 

 

Under the terms of the partnership, edotco contributed to the BRAC WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) Program in order to implement Safe Drinking Water projects in order to reach a larger community and increase the number of beneficiaries. The goal of the project is to assist the disadvantaged coastal communities where pure drinking water is scarce due to salinity. This project directly benefits around 1,500 families from the underserved communities of Moheskhali and Satkhira district. 

 

The Tower to Community CSR programme served as a beacon of hope for the entire community in underserved regions such as Jamalpur, Nilphamari, Hatiya, Ramu, Kutubdia, Shatira, and Moheskahli. These regions were Jamalpur, Nilphamari, Hatiya, Ramu, Kutubdia, Shatira, and Moheskahli. Numerous advantages of free electricity have improved the communi- ty’s standard of living. Now, students in the project areas can complete their homework at night and attend summer school without difficulty. Fishermen can charge their mobile phones and stay informed about the weather forecast; they can charge their phones and flashlights to communicate at night; women can perform their household chores with ease even after dark; families can consume safe drinking water; and local markets remain open after sunset, ensuring good business and economic growth in the project area. Access to electricity has signifi- cantly mitigated the difficulties these communities have faced over the years.