Prospecta rolls out 5G network at GemLife to boost smart city tech

Prospecta Utilities has installed a standalone 5G millimetre wave fixed wireless network at GemLife Gold Coast, providing improved connectivity for residents.

The service allows residents to have constant connectivity, enabling seamless integration of smart devices, including household appliances, across the network. This implementation is designed to support both daily living and operational functions within the lifestyle resort, aimed at bolstering efficiency and the overall resident experience.

The deployment utilises a multi-vendor approach, bringing together technologies such as Ciena's 5130 and 5164 routers, which form the backbone of the 5G fixed wireless system. These routers operate as the routing gateway between connected devices and the 5G network, forming the infrastructure for the service.

The project comes as the Australian market for private 5G solutions is anticipated to grow rapidly, with research from Grand View Research predicting a 47.3% increase from 2024 to 2030. Market projections suggest private 5G could reach USD $504.2 million by the end of the period under review.

Smart city expansion

Prospecta Utilities intends to use GemLife lifestyle resorts as models for similar implementations, aiming to extend private 5G connectivity across GemLife's 30 resort locations nationwide by the end of 2028. This approach creates opportunities to develop interconnected 'smart cities' within gated communities, integrating high-speed wireless technology to enhance resident access and operational processes.

"Using the GemLife lifestyle resorts as an example, we envision bringing private 5G 'smart cities' to life across Australia – and potentially to other markets. We needed an agile and seamless 5G solution. Ciena's routers support our xHaul platform requirements, providing network scalability as required, and offering advanced timing and synchronisation," said Grant Smith, Head of Telecommunications, Prospecta Utilities.

The fixed wireless network was constructed using technologies from a range of vendors. Ciena's open and programmable xHaul routers form the network's backbone and act as a data gateway, a role which is instrumental in achieving a low-latency and resilient 5G connection for the resort.

System integration

Grant also shared: "It was important to us that the routers we chose can provide seamless integration into a multi-vendor ecosystem, as we work with a variety of vendors for our 5G needs. Additionally, Ciena's routers support our Open Radio Access Network (RAN) fronthaul split requirements, and is a cost-effective alternative to traditional closed RAN, enabling more deployment models."

Ciena's routers were selected for this project in part due to their adaptability to challenging environments. The hardware is rated for temperature extremes and is compact, which supports flexible installation in space-constrained or environmentally demanding Australian locations.

Prospecta Utilities reported that the deployed routers have continued functioning without issue during a range of adverse weather conditions since installation. The network infrastructure has remained stable during incidents such as cyclones and heatwaves, retaining the low latency and reliability that are requirements for Prospecta's xHaul platform.

"Since its remote deployment, our Ciena routers have withstood a range of extreme weather and events – from a cyclone to a heatwave. Through it all, they continued operating reliably, supporting our xHaul platform requirements with low latency and minimal jitter," said Grant.

Expanding private 5G networks into managed residential communities is seen as a route to both improving individual user experience and enabling greater operational intelligence for complex sites. Prospecta's plan to roll out interconnected networks throughout GemLife's locations is aligned with ongoing trends in digital transformation for residential and retirement living sectors.