T-Mobile and the city of Bellevue, WA are working on a cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) project to enable near real-time communications between cars, traffic infrastructure, pedestrians, cyclists and other road users.
The project is part of the city’s Vision Zero initiative, which has a goal of eliminating road-related fatalities and serious injuries by 2030. T-Mobile will provide 5G connectivity, C-V2X and IoT technology, technical integration and end-to-end testing.
The project will create low-latency connectivity including scenarios that don’t involve line-of-sight. A mobile app will be available to drivers that would provide early visual and audible warnings about potential problems. The project initially will involve reduced speed zones, school zone flashing beacons, mid-block pedestrian crossings and signalized intersections, T-Mobile said.
The platform and prototyping were developed at T-Mobile’s 5G Hub, which is in Bellevue.
“We are in a fortunate position that empowers us to help make cities safer, starting right within our own community,” John Saw, T-Mobile’s EVP and CTO said in a press release. “With our advanced network technology, valuable intellectual property and strong partner ecosystem, we have the extraordinary capacity to enhance the safety and well-being of our fellow citizens. And our vision extends beyond Bellevue as we aspire to positively impact our country and contribute to a safer world.”
C-V2X technology got a boost in 2020 when the FCC reallocated a portion of the spectrum band between 5.85 and 5.925 GHz for unlicensed use. The band previously had been allocated for intelligent transportation systems (ITS) using DSRC technology, and the commission reserved a portion of the band for ITS but said the band would support C-V2X rather than DSRC technology.
Verizon also has used its mobile network to support C-V2X.
Big cities like Bellevue are not the only places where T-Mobile is investing to bring advanced technology to a community. Also today, T-Mobile named 25 recipients in its Hometown Grant program. T-Mobile will invest in projects focused on revamping outdoor spaces, building event venues, providing Wi-Fi connectivity and more in the communities.
The new cities are Osceola, AL; Montrose, CO;: Quincy, FL; Paxton, IL; Ottawa, KS; Grayson and Princeton, KY; Brunswick and Easton, MD; Red Wing and Silver Bay, MN; Corinth, MS; Laurel, MT; Goldsboro, NC; Dover, NJ; Carlsbad, NM; Otisville, NY; Wapakoneta, OH; Ada, OK; Hamburg, PA; Levelland, TX; New Castle, VA; Burlington, VT; Colville, WA and Huntington, WV.
