Mississauga Connected and Ready for 5G

By 2024, it is predicted that more than 1.5 billion devices will be connected to 5G technology globally. As the most connected City in Canada, Mississauga is ready for 5G.

Today, at General Committee staff presented a technical assessment report  that highlights the work being done to make sure Mississauga is ready to host 5G technology on City owned infrastructure like light poles.

“Each day, we rely on our devices to ensure we are connected to the things that matter to us. 5G is the fifth generation of cellular networks but understanding how it works is complex,” said Shawn Slack Director, Information Technology and Chief Information Officer. “When we talk about 5G, we’re talking about speed, meaning you’ll be able to download a movie or stream videos in mere seconds. We are also talking about greater bandwidth, meaning the network can handle more devices being connected at the same time, decreasing spotty service in crowded areas. 5G also means communication with cloud platforms will be faster and easier and a whole host of new kinds of technologies, products and services will be possible such as smart toothbrushes, self-driving cars, green power grids and much, much more.”

5G small cells will attach to light poles or towers and communicate wirelessly over radio waves. In Mississauga, it is anticipated that they will be located on light poles where there is high foot traffic such as in Business Improvement Areas (BIA) and Mississauga’s downtown core.

The technical assessment outlined in the report, explained to Council the planning and operational changes involved to allow City street light poles to accommodate 5G small cell technology. As part of the overall assessment, City staff talked to health and technical experts, as well as other cities across Canada and around the world about the impacts of 5G technology, and what it means for residents and businesses. Currently, the City, along with Peel Region, Brampton and Caledon, own and operate the largest Public Sector Network (PSN) in Canada with 985 connected sites and 47,000 km of fibre. New technologies coming forward require 5G – high speeds, high connectivity and low latency which is the time it takes for a connected device to make a request from a server and get a response. Mississauga’s existing IT infrastructure with the introduction of 5G small cells will allow the City to meet changing technology needs.

The City is currently receiving requests to use infrastructure, particularly street light poles, to attach small cell equipment and is working to develop Master Agreements for pole attachments with telecommunication service providers. These agreements will come to Council for approval early in 2022.

In addition, the City is working closely with vendors of street lighting poles to adjust their standard design to allow small cell attachments while continuing to meet Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) standards.

Through planned governance and processes, adherence to high health standards set by Health Canada and Peel Public Health, Mississauga is working hard to ensure that 5G infrastructure is managed and installed effectively bringing with it high-speed wireless connectivity and economic opportunities.

Mississauga is a Smart City – re-imagining where technology can support a healthy environment, an innovative economy, vibrant communities, efficient and safe modes of transportation and a connected government.

For more information on 5G visit: smartcity.mississauga.ca/5G.

Media Contact:
City of Mississauga Media Relations
media@mississauga.ca
905-615-3200, ext. 5232
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