Page 9 - CT Issue 21

Keys to the Smart City 8

Building long-term partnerships
with mobile operators

A strong partner is able to help with specifying, building and As an example, AT&T has built a framework to help cities
integrating all of these building blocks, leading to a quicker delivery better serve their citizens. The framework includes four pillars:
of smart cities services. Some partners may be able to help secure connectivity, technology and platforms, vertically
address specific issues that the city may run into, but generally the integrated solutions, and alliance members. There are also
strongest partners are going to be those who can take a holistic five solution domains included in the framework: energy and
view and address as many opportunities as possible. Mobile utilities, transportation, public safety, citizen engagement and
operators are well suited to be a primary partner for cities, as they infrastructure.
have a long track record of building and supporting commercially
viable, scalable services for a wide variety of consumers and To support the framework and help create more connected
vertical markets. They have experience of managing highly communities, AT&T has formed alliances with Cisco, Deloitte,
complex technical projects, and connectivity is the common Ericsson, GE, Hitachi, IBM, Intel, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., and
component of any smart cities deployment. Mobile operators can Southern Company, their first utility. AT&T will bring the smart
also play a pivotal role in enabling innovative business models and cities framework to several initial spotlight cities and universities
developing the standards required to drive the connected world to that include Atlanta, the Georgia Institute of Technology, Chicago,
the next level. Dallas, Chapel Hill, Miami, and more.

Multiple communications technologies and IT platforms are A long-term mobile operator partnership means that local
available to the city from a myriad of vendors. Finding the right requirements can be built into new technology frameworks. The
approach can be a daunting prospect, but generally a long-term city is able to request new services be introduced, as both parties
relationship with a mobile operator will mean that the services have visibility over a development roadmap.
grow with the city, regardless of the technical approach.

Atlanta is a great city and, thanks to our collaboration with AT&T, it will soon be a smarter
city. Improving sustainability and increasing public safety are already top priorities for
the City of Atlanta. With the integration of AT&T’s Smart City solutions, we will be better
positioned to support these initiatives while also enriching the lives of our residents.

Kasim Reed, Mayor of Atlanta