Australian communications infrastructure provider BAI Communications is working with Dutch lighting firm Signify to convert outdoor lighting infrastructure into wireless communications platforms.

The goal is to combine BAI’s portfolio of neutral hosting facilities and capabilities with Signify’s connected lighting with gigabit transmission integrated luminaires, smart poles, smart hubs and IoT platform.

The partnership complements BAI’s recent win of the 20-year concession to deliver high-speed mobile coverage across the London Underground. In establishing a backbone of connectivity across London, BAI will look to incorporate the results of its collaboration with Signify to advance the technology development in fibre and streetscape network deployment for this project.

BAI’s partnership with Signify, formerly Philips Lighting, represents a leap for both organisations as they begin working together to unlock the potential of light through connectivity that could revolutionise smart community advancement for municipalities and enterprise. This collaboration will concentrate on BAI’s operations in the UK, USA, Canada, Hong Kong and Australia ahead of exploring further opportunities across Europe.

Combining the expertise of the two businesses boosts BAI’s capability to support fixed and mobile operators and municipalities to realise the smart city opportunities that 5G services are offering. Collaboration outcomes will include co-creating connectivity to circumvent the growing pressure on wireless communication due to increasing congestion on radio spectrum. This should unlock a range of operational and revenue improvement opportunities for BAI’s customers.

“Importantly, this partnership supports our global ambitions and puts us in the perfect position to capitalise on the growing prioritisation of connected infrastructure,” said BAI’s group CEO Igor Leprince. “Signify’s specific expertise in lighting and wireless technology matched with BAI’s leadership in connected transit and infrastructure will enhance BAI’s existing success providing neutral host services by augmenting its range of offerings as it pursues, and wins, significant opportunities.”

Leprince said this opportunity to introduce advanced network technology would accelerate BAI’s innovation in 5G outdoor and indoor wireless infrastructure, small cell deployment, and communications infrastructure for dense and complex urban and transit environments.

“It brings together great synergies between the two organisations, enabling BAI to extend and diversify its innovative service offerings through a mutually beneficial collaboration process with Signify,” he said.

Signify CEO Eric Rondolat added: “This partnership marks an important milestone in our strategy to leverage the lighting infrastructure as a communications platform. We are excited to join forces with BAI and support the company in its mission to build the next generation of communications networks in London and other markets around the world. Our collaboration illustrates public lighting as the critical backbone for smart city transformation.”

BAI designs, builds and operates cellular, wifi, broadcast, radio and IP networks around the world. Its operations span Australia, Canada, UK, Hong Kong and the USA, where it has a majority stake in Transit Wireless.