Deutsche Telekom : Smart technology for digital Germany

• Telekom exhibitor at the Smart Country Convention (20.-22. November)
• Broadband and 5G basis for digital citizen services
• Narrowband radio for parking lots, street lamps or safe bridges

Germany is stepping on the gas for digitization. A new trade fair is a showcase for this. As of today the 'Smart Country Convention' will take place for the first time in Berlin. In the medium term it aims to establish itself as the leading trade fair for the digitization of the public sector. With high-performance connectivity, intelligent citizen services and cyber protection, Telekom is a central exhibitor.

The focus of the trade fair and congress program is the digitization of public administration. Another important topic is the expansion of mobile communications and fixed networks in Germany as the basis for digital citizen services. Telekom will therefore be demonstrating at its stand how broadband expansion in Germany is progressing as part of the 'More broadband for Germany' initiative. And how the cable can be laid under pavements and streets saving time and money. This year alone Deutsche Telekom is installing around 60,000 kilometers of fiber optic. The fiber optic network is already 500,000 kilometers long. Telekom will also provide information on fourth and fifth generation (5G) mobile communications at its stand. Smartphones, tablets and fast mobile connections still drive digitization worldwide.

Radio for parking lots, street lights or safe bridges

Narrowband IoT (NB IoT) also has a firm place on Germany's digital agenda. Narrowband radio establishes machine and sensor networks. In Berlin Deutsche Telekom is showing numerous municipal fields of application for the technology: It connects free parking spaces with mobile phones. Cities such as Bonn and Hamburg are already using 'Park and Joy'. The app enables cashless parking payments and helps drivers and cities because parking space is easier to find. NB IoT also controls street lighting, waste disposal and monitors the condition of roads and bridges.

Artificial intelligence gives citizens hope for light in the jungle of forms

Another part of the Telekom stand is dedicated to intelligent citizen services. Germany plans to introduce a nationwide portal network for all municipal online services by 2022. With ServiceNow Deutsche Telekom is presenting a comprehensive citizen portal at the Convention - for ID cards, dog tax or building applications.

Enquiries will also be easier for citizens in the future. New technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotic process automation (RPA) and blockchain support this. The technology makes things easier for administrative staff. Repeated activities such as paying for loans can be automated to a large extent. Deutsche Telekom also plans to use a Citypass to simplify access for citizens to a wide variety of services such as book lending, swimming pool admission or rental bikes.

One app for the entire city

In cooperation with the German Association of Cities and Towns (DStGB), Deutsche Telekom is developing the OSCA ('One Smart City App '), a dynamic, location-based application. The user receives information on current events, leisure activities or shopping opportunities for the city in which he or she is currently located. An open standard facilitates use via all mobile phone providers. More than 20 cities in Germany and Spain are already testing the app. OSCA is to become a simple cross-border solution for the whole of Europe.

Cyber protection and security 'Made in Germany'

In addition to new digital services, the fair will also focus on their protection and public safety. At the convention, Deutsche Telekom will present mobile solutions 'made in Germany' for police work and the disaster warning app NINA. Visitors to the stand will also be able to take a look at Telekom's Security Operation Center (SOC) via virtual reality glasses. The heart of Telekom's cyber defense in Bonn is unique in the world. Around 1,200 Group security experts protect the networks and systems of Deutsche Telekom and its customers from cybercrime.