Zero Site “Lighting as a Service” – Multi-Regional

The Zero Site streetlamp, co-created by Philips and Ericsson, integrates small cell modules into streetlight poles for dual urban function. The new model of “lighting as a service” effectively turns street lighting into digital real estate. This is reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions, while at the same time saving city governments money, brightening cities, and providing enhanced mobile broadband connectivity.

Fast facts:

Philips LED street lighting is responsible for 15% of global electricity consumption of lighting;
50 to 70% energy savings possible; 80% possible savings when coupled with smart controls;
Zero Site already deployed in the US, Sweden and in the Middle East;
20 cities engaging in discussions on implementing Zero Site;
10 billion euros potential energy, monetary, and carbon savings if applied on global scale.

The problem

Urban population is growing at a tremendous rate, creating a need for more basic services such as mobile broadband coverage – not to mention street lighting. Mobile data traffic is expected to grow logarithmically over the next several years, but current telecom infrastructure is not capable of responding to this demand. In addition, one-third of the world’s roads are still lit by technology dating back to the 1960s.

The solution

In cooperation with Ericsson, Philips is now offering cities energy-efficient LED street lighting that can include mobile telecom equipment. Mobile operators working with Ericsson for mobile broadband infrastructure will be able to rent space in the poles. Remote radio units and antennas are placed in the top portion of the light pole, while other equipment is located in an underground chamber.

Under the “lighting-as-a-service” model, cities may offer space within their light poles to network service providers for mobile broadband infrastructure. Several business model options are possible. These include Philips funding the entire cost of the switch to LED lighting; this investment is then recouped from money saved by the city in the form of energy savings during the duration of the financing contract. Or, a city could also decide to invest in the smart poles themselves as part of their overall LED lighting purchase, and then rent the space out to mobile operators. Finally, a mobile operator could invest in the smart poles themselves and then “donate” them to the city.

Helping the planet

Adoption of energy-efficient technology reduces energy consumption, decreasing emission of air pollution including greenhouse gases. The smart lamp poles also present the possibility of acting as environmental sensors, taking on functions such as monitoring air quality or making other measurements.

Helping people

Streetlamps with incorporated cell modules improve data coverage and capacity, resulting in enhanced broadband services for mobile phone users. City dwellers tend to prefer the white light of LEDs, citing a greater sense of safety and improved visibility compared to the orange glow of traditional high-pressure sodium systems. Integrating telecom equipment into ubiquitous light poles reduces urban clutter, minimizing visual impact in an already overstimulating city environment. The Zero Site lamps also have the potential to save city governments money.

Scaling up

Ericsson and Phillips are currently in discussions with cities and operators all over the world to deploy Zero Site on a larger scale. Both companies are very strong global players, and are already in discussions in various regions. Expressed interest in this solution from all over the world will help in targeting markets in the building of long-term partnerships for future deployment.