RACINE — A demonstration of U.S. Cellular’s 5G network in Racine left Walden III students speechless.
Racine is one of the first Wisconsin cities with 5G capabilities through a partnership with U.S. Cellular, though it will not be widely available until March 6.
U.S. Cellular is also launching 5G in Green Bay, Madison, Milwaukee, Oshkosh and other smaller cities.
The announcement at the Cesar Chavez Center, 2221 Douglas Ave., on Wednesday included a demonstration, where Mayor Cory Mason, on a 5G-enabled phone, video called a group of students at Walden III Middle and High School.
“So tell me what you’re learning about with STEM today?” Mason asked the group.
Silence.
“Anybody?” Still no response. “Don’t everybody raise their hands at once,” Mason joked. The group did wave to show they had heard Mason but no amount of technology can improve communication with teenagers.
“Well you’re part of history,” Mason said to wrap up the call. “This is the first 5G call in the City of Racine. Thrilled to do that with the Walden students.”
5G a ‘foundational step’
Mason called the availability of 5G, “the foundational first step” for implementing smart city technologies.
“If we want to go to the next level around mobility, it requires 5G technology. If we want to get the next level of security and safety opportunities that exist with smart cities you need 5G to be able to do that. If you want to do the work that we want to do around sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint you need 5G technology to do that,” Mason said.
Details about how specifically smart cities technologies will be used to administer city services still haven’t been worked out. But another advantage of have 5G available in Racine is it will give the city a competitive edge for new high-tech industries, such as the internet of things, which requires high-speed interconnection.
“It gives us a competitive edge,” said Mason. “If you want to innovate and do that new technology, as a factor in this industry, this is a great place to be.”
But a key issue, according to Mason, is ensuring widespread access, which is why the city plans to have high-speed internet available at city community centers in time for summer sessions this year.
They are also in talks with the Racine Police Department about making wireless high-speed internet available at COP houses as well.
“We need to be intentional about this. If we are intentional about it smart cities should help close some of the community’s inequities. If we’re not mindful about it, it could broaden some of them,” said Mason. “So we want to make sure when this new technology comes to town that we’re making it available broadly, so everyone can enjoy the success of this new technology.”
Last year, Racine was the smallest city to win the Smart Cities Readiness Challenge from the Smart Cities Council, which granted access to expertise and financing for smart technology projects.
Last September, the city hosted Smart September events which explored what smart technology could mean for the community, how it could be implemented and celebrating Racine’s legacy of innovation.
Things to do in and around Racine County
Planning a wedding in 2021 or 2022? Then come to the Bridal Showcase 2021 to talk with vendors, get creative ideas for your special day, and t…
RACINE — "The Art of the Cup: Variations on Cups from RAM's Collection" will open Wednesday, Jan. 27, and continue through Aug. 7 at Racine Ar…
RACINE — In response to the current global pandemic, the Racine Art Museum (RAM) has been creating opportunities for would-be museum visitors …
WATERFORD — The Village of Waterford’s skating rink has moved locations and is ready for skaters.
Through its Facebook page, Ice Castles LLC posted numerous dates for its Geneva National Resort & Club location.
RACINE — The Racine Zoo, 2131 N. Main St., will host an outdoor beer tasting event from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23. Attendees can cozy up b…
RACINE — It may be January in the middle of an isolating pandemic, but that doesn’t mean people can’t enjoy some safe, fun entertainment with …
RACINE — The BONK Poetry and Music Series will host a virtual event at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30. It will feature poets Angie Trudell Vasquez, …
KENOSHA — People can virtually view the Carthage College Music Theatre Workshop production of “Ride the Cyclone” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Satur…
CALEDONIA — Steve and Suzie Rottmann, and their three children, had never gone snowshoeing before.
RACINE — Sexual Assault Services of Racine County is offering a Sip & Dip virutal valentine's fundraiser Feb. 12-15.
For two decades, crowds gathered each March at the Bowls and Books Soup Fest at the Rhode Center for the Arts, 514 56th St.
RACINE — The “January 2021 Fine Arts Invitational Show” will continue through Feb. 7 at Spectrum Gallery at the DeKoven Center, 610 Caron Butl…
RACINE — The Racine Zoo, 2131 N. Main St., is offering a Winter Picnic in a Snow Globe promotion.
BROOKFIELD, Ill. — Chicago Zoological Society’s animal care staff will once again present its “Bringing the Zoo to You” Facebook Live chats Mo…
CALEDONIA — Cross-country ski and snowshoe rentals are available at River Bend Nature Center, 3600 N. Green Bay Road, weather permitting and g…
It can seem like Kenosha's Civil War Museum captures an earlier time that's not relevant to today.
RACINE — Spirit of Racine Music Makers, a new charitable nonprofit, announces the release of “A Christmas Spirit,” a virtual Christmas concert…
MADISON — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources now offers annual state park passes for sale online. This service is part of the DNR’s…
RACINE — In response to the current impact of the global pandemic in Wisconsin, the Racine Art Museum (RAM) has extended the run of four ongoi…
RACINE — What are the holidays without music?
RACINE — “Waste Not,” a contemporary art exhibit in vacant storefront windows along the 1400 to 1500 blocks of Washington Avenue in Uptown Rac…
YORKVILLE — Apple Holler, 5006 S. Sylvania Ave., offers reservations for private horse-drawn sleigh/wagon rides.
KENOSHA — In the air, water and even under foot, insects inhabit every domain of our daily lives, performing essential functions that balance …
KENOSHA — The Kenosha Area Convention & Visitors Bureau has published a Fall/Winter "FUN 101 COVID-19 Edition: 101 Things to See & Do …
RACINE — Downtown Racine Corp. is offering a socially distanced, self-guided historic tour of Downtown Racine with a web-based, mobile-friendl…
RACINE — The Racine Art Museum, 441 Main St., is showcasing a needlework exhibit called In “Stitches: Contemporary Approaches to Needlework” t…
RACINE — Over the last 20 years, the Racine Art Museum (RAM), 441 Main St., has built one of the largest public collections of contemporary ar…