One of Finland's leading telecommunication companies has joined an innovative program which is aimed at transforming the Finnish city of Tampere into a 'smart city' through the utilization of mobile and fixed technology.
Elisa has joined the project which has been entitled 'Smart Tampere'. It has garnered interest from other independent telecommunication and technology entities - and just last month, Nokia also agreed to join the Smart Tampere program.
It has emerged that Elisa will build modern fiber and mobile networks in the city as part of its attempts to position itself as a frontrunner for 5G technology. The objectives of the innovative program are to conduct research and testing in the hope that they can then subsequently deploy solutions in order to improve the quality of life for its residents. In addition to this, the makeover the city receives will significantly increase its attractiveness for businesses and investors.
Some of the key areas of focus that are being highlighted in the project include smart lighting, remote care for elderly citizens through video and the installation of a real-time public transport information system. Mika Railosalo, Elisa's Vice President of Regional Sales and SME Sales in the Corporate Customers unit, said: "Elisa's involvement in the Smart Tampere project is a step towards 5G. Collaboration with the City of Tampere and the other organizations involved in the project from the earliest phases will enable smart infrastructure and digital connections to be built and to form the basis of the 5G network of the future."
Tero Blomqvist, the Director of the Smart Tampere program, added: "The citizens of Tampere are highly motivated to develop a digital ecosystem for the city and to build a smart city. Elisa is a natural partner for us as it has significant expertise in data communication connections and solutions, and it is also playing a major role in developing the modern economy, both in Tampere and in Finland as a whole."
