Kansas City is making a strong bid to become one of the leading smart, connected cities in the U.S., if not the world. Not only does it have multiple Gigabit Internet providers, including being the launch city of Google Fiber, it also will be getting an intelligent Wi-Fi network from Sprint that will serve as the backbone of K.C.’s Smart+Connected City ecosystem. Sprint on June 4 announced it is installing Cisco hardware to build, own and operate the Kansas City Wi-Fi network
The Wi-Fi network contract makes Sprint the first mobile service provider to play a key role in a U.S. Smart+Connected City project, the mobile services carrier points out in a press release. Sprint’s Wi-Fi network is to run along a 2.2-mile stretch of Kansas City’s streetcar line through the downtown area.
Sprint Kansas City Wi-Fi
The wireless Internet communications backbone will support a range of public information services and other digital smart city applications that include city lighting, traffic and parking management, map-based location services, and water and waste management, according to Sprint. The company’s Pinsight Media+ subsidiary will operate the data analytics and advertising platform, which is expected to attract a broad base of advertisers and online service providers.
“Sprint looks forward to playing an integral role in this groundbreaking initiative to bring greater connectivity across a wide range of business and consumer applications that support the Internet of Everything in our hometown,” Sprint CTO Stephen Bye was quoted as saying. “Delivering Wi-Fi connectivity is a great fit for Sprint, and it enables our customers to more easily use both cellular and Wi-Fi for a better mobile experience.”
Sprint’s been busy on several other fronts in Kansas City. Recently it deployed a wireless system at Kauffman Stadium that went live in time for baseball’s K.C. Royals Opening Day. In April, Sprint deployed 2.5GHz spectrum at Sporting Park, which is home to the city’s professional soccer team, Sporting Kansas City. Earlier this year, Sprint added capacity and deployed 2.5GHz spectrum at Sprint Center in downtown Kansas City.
