HKT is the first mobile operator in Hong Kong using 5G SA network with network slicing for the trial of C-V2X applications on public roads, which is also the first time that 5G SA technology is used for a vertical industry application in Hong Kong. The smart mobility project applies 5G network slicing on C-V2X to enhance road safety in the city with the first trial conducted this week on a designated 14-kilometre route from the Hong Kong Science Park to Shatin town. C-V2X road side units (RSU) are installed on traffic light poles and lamp posts along the designated route for providing real-time traffic intelligence to on-board units (OBU) installed inside the vehicles.
C-V2X is a cellular-based Vehicle-to-Everything communication system connecting with vehicles and road infrastructure. It allows vehicles to communicate with other vehicles (V2V), with pedestrians (V2P), with network (V2N) and with road infrastructure (V2I) such as traffic lights. Through real-time communication between a vehicle and its surroundings, safety alerts can be delivered to the driver for taking immediate actions to avoid traffic accidents.
This successful trial has proven that 5G technology is now ready to support real C-V2X applications, especially for enterprises or organizations which serve consumers within a dedicated area or campus, or along a specific route. HKT’s 5G service has been available since April 2020. The market has realized its benefits with successful 5G applications deployed in different sectors including healthcare, construction, property development and management. HKT is ready to further unleash 5G’s potential using SA network in automotive and other industries to support and propel Hong Kong into a smart city.
Mr. Peter Lam, Managing Director of Engineering, HKT, said, "Smart mobility is one of the key elements of the Government’s Smart City Blueprint and C-V2X is the enabling technology that will transform urban transport. With the emerging 5G technology, autonomous driving will revolutionize the experience of transport and help Hong Kong evolve into a world-class smart city."
HKT and ASTRI established a Smart City Joint Lab (SCJL) in November 2018, which aims to drive new initiatives on smart city and 5G developments in Hong Kong. The new C-V2X technology and its successful trial helps to realize of autonomous driving in Hong Kong, which is a long-term initiative of the Intelligent Transport System in the latest Hong Kong Smart City Blueprint 2.0.