Citymesh has conducted extensive testing of the Bolster project. That is a mobile 5G network for emergencies built around a ruggedized vehicle.
Citymesh conducted tests on the Belgian coast with its 5G vehicle. Those tests are part of the development of Bolster: a mobile communication system integrated into a rugged off-road vehicle. The vehicle can easily traverse difficult terrains such as sand and mud. Once on site, the system establishes a 5G network via a telescopic antenna. According to Citymesh, the network can be operational within six minutes, with a range of more than two kilometers.
Several scenarios were simulated during the test, including real-time video streaming with drones and kite surfers. The system uses multiple frequency bands to support both broad coverage and specific applications, such as video streaming.
Alternative to traditional infrastructure
According to Citymesh, the network provides a reliable line of communication when traditional systems are damaged. Citymesh hopes those features make Bolster valuable to defense and emergency services during disasters and other crisis situations, among others.
Bolster operates autonomously, without human permanence. The system can be used for various applications, such as monitoring with drones and connectivity for field hospitals. Integrated technologies such as push-to-video and sensors make it an all-in-one solution for coordination and situational awareness.
Together with defense
Citymesh sees future opportunities for expansion of Bolster in collaboration with stakeholders such as civil defense and defense. The company continues to invest in technologies to modernize emergency response and save lives in critical situations. For example, Citymesh is also working on the Safety Drone Shield, which combines drones and 5G into a solution for emergency services
Bolster is not intended for more traditional crisis situations, where, for example, a simple network overload is a problem. The 5G standard already offers a solution there with network slicing. Should that nevertheless be insufficient, the off-road vehicle can offer solace.