JTOWER, TEPCO Power Grid, and NTT East collaborate with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to expand the installation of smart poles in Nishi-Shinjuku area

JTOWER, TEPCO Power Grid, and NTT East collaborate with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to expand the installation of smart poles in Nishi-Shinjuku area
-Build 20 new smart poles in Nishi-Shinjuku area to provide services utilizing cutting-edge technologies-
　
JTOWER Inc. (“JTOWER”), TEPCO Power Grid, Inc. (“TEPCO Power Grid”), and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation (“NTT EAST”) jointly proposed “The project to expand the installation of smart poles including operation and verification in Nishi-Shinjuku area in fiscal 2021” (“this project”) conducted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (“TMG”) and we are pleased to announce that this proposal was adopted and we concluded an agreement with TMG today with JTOWER as the representative operator.

In August 2019, TMG announced The Basic Strategy for Tokyo Data Highway to develop the world’s best mobile Internet network, positioning Nishi-Shinjuku area as one of priority areas of 5G. In December of the same year, TMG announced the Strategic Vision for “Future Tokyo” positioning Nishi-Shinjuku area as the leading implementation area for “Smart Tokyo” and has been promoting initiatives to develop cross-sectional services utilizing 5G and cutting-edge technologies. As part of this initiative, in 2020, JTOWER built two smart poles in Nishi-Shinjuku area with functions such as 5G base stations and Wi-Fi. In the same area, TEPCO Power Grid installed 5G base stations and digital signage in the upper spaces of the power distribution system and NTT EAST provided optical lines for all smart poles and improved Wi-Fi network for some smart poles.

This project aims to improve the 5G coverage in Nishi-Shinjuku area and realize Smart Tokyo by building 20 new smart poles to verify related services and establish the business model with a view to expand smart poles in other regions.

JTOWER, TEPCO Power Grid, and NTT EAST will combine our achievements and strengths, such as the installation of smart poles, optical lines and power supply utilizing Infra-Sharing, and the provision of high-value-added smart services utilizing the telecommunications networks and will quickly and efficiently develop the 5G networks, as well as provide smart city services utilizing cutting-edge technologies.

We will develop two types of new smart poles: pole-type and signage-type. Under the concept of “Connect, Communicate and See”, in addition to “Connect” functions such as 5G base stations, highspeed Wi-Fi access points, power supply, and emergency batteries, we plan to incorporate “Communicate” functions such as digital signage, AI cameras, and environmental sensors. In addition to its role as a tool to connect internet at any time, it is also expected to be used for disaster prevention, such as for communication and power supply functions in emergencies, and the dissemination of evacuation information.

Through this project, JTOWER, TEPCO Power Grid, and NTT EAST will contribute to the realization of the “Smart Tokyo”. Taking advantage of this initiative, we will continue to strengthen collaboration and broaden the support for the promotion of local digitization, with the aim of advancing Society 5.0 in Japan.
　
　
【Main roles of each company】

JTOWER : Project Management, production and construction of smart poles, verification, and attraction of telecommunications companies
　
TEPCO Power Grid : Verification of profitability and cost reduction
　
NTT EAST : Support for production and construction of smart poles, construction of networks, maintenance and operation, and verification of public welfare
　
　
【Image of smart pole】

Pole-type

Signage-type
* Utilize digital signage manufactured by Scala, Inc.

　
　
Function on smart poles (Function/Detail）

Installation space
/ The installation space for 5G base stations and antennas

Wi-Fi access point
/ Provide Wi-Fi6 (utilizing NTT EAST GigaRaku Wi-Fi)

Security cameras
/ Filming with a cloud-based camera (utilizing NTT EAST GigaRaku camera)

Analytical camera
/ Analysis of images acquired by a 4K camera using the AI video analysis function

Sensor
/ Utilize IoT platform for data collection and analysis

Signage
/ Utilize digital signage manufactured by Scala, Inc.