Bengaluru’s MG Road-Ulsoor Metro section chosen for 5G pilot project

A stretch of 2km of MG Road and Ulsoor Metro stations has been identified for the 5G pilot project in Bengaluru.

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) managing director Anjum Parwez said, “This is the busiest part of the city. If this trial is successful, we will extend it to other areas.”

BMRCL along with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) will help telecom operators to set up small cells for 5G technology in Metro piers.

“Commuters will benefit from 5G technology as they will enjoy coverage throughout the journey. With 5G, QR generation and operation at the AFC gates will be easier. PoS machines at the ticket office (card reading) which rely upon data connection will also function smoothly,” he said.

TOI had carried an article titled ‘Namma Metro could help power your 5G connection’ on March 13.

Namma Metro is now identifying street furniture to facilitate easy rollout of 5G technology.

“Bengaluru Metro has been identified as one of the pilot projects under the 5G scheme. Piers are readily available for installation of small cells at road level. A feasibility study for installing small cells on the canopy structure of stations is also being done. For track coverage, special slim poles are being designed for installation of small cells. It is being planned to augment the fibre capacity on the viaduct by laying fibres in the hollow portion to extend connectivity to small cells installed in between the stations on track and on piers,” said Parwez.

“By 2025, Bengaluru Metro will have a total of 143km of viaduct with thousands of pillars, land below the viaduct, 112 elevated stations, 23km of underground tunnel network and 19 underground stations, seven depots, thousands of sqft of rooftop and spaces available at parking lots. The challenge is to utilise the large infrastructure in partnership with other government departments and private players,” he said.

He added that 26 cellphone towers have been erected on rooftops of Phase 1 Metro stations and they are generating Rs 13.5 crore annually. Times Of India