Sparks Electrical News December 2017

LIGHTING

19

SCHRÉDER AND HUAWEI ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

A t the eighth Global Mobile Broadband Forum, Huawei, with leading global outdoor lighting solu- tions provider Schréder, launched the shuffle site, a multi-functional light column co-developed by the two companies. Shuffle Site is based on the modular shuf- fle lighting-based system and the Huawei outdoor small cell to ensure that next-generation connectivity is acces- sible to everyone. The shuffle site attracted worldwide

attention from operators and key industry customers as soon as it was presented at the forum summit. Mobile broadband technology is continually developing, changing people’s daily lives and introducing new business. An ever-increasing number of smart devices and wireless users has led to an explosion in traffic consumption. Operators need to deliver capacity and connectivity, yet it is very difficult to acquire a site in a dense urban area with the traditional site solution. With street lights available almost everywhere in a city, connected to a power supply, and regularly serviced, they are the ideal multi-application platform for smart city development. Schréder launched the modular shuffle lighting- based system in 2015. More than a lighting column, the shuffle can integrate control systems, loudspeakers, surveillance cameras, hotspots, electrical vehicle chargers, signage and more smart services to help cities deliver the connectivity that citizens expect. For the past year, Schréder and Huawei have been collaborating to incorporate Huawei’s outdoor integration station into the Shuffle. The shuffle site will enable cities to improve their 4G coverage and increase network capacity in an inconspicuous manner. The refined column blends into the urban environment, eliminating eyesores that can upset residents. They will also be able to futureproof their infrastructure for 5G coverage. At the Global Mobile Broadband Forum, the two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for further strategic co-operation that will enable both to co-develop solutions that will light and connect cities. Speaking at the summit, Nicolas Keutgen, chief innovation officer for Schréder explained, “This is an exciting time in the industry and we are delighted to be co-operating with Huawei. Our strategic partnership brings together the capabilities of two leading players to create the best end-to-end solutions to meet the needs of our customers worldwide.” Zhou Yuefeng, CMO of Huawei’s wireless product line, says, “Site acquisition has always been a major problem plaguing operators who want to expand their network. The synergies brought by the shuffle site provide an effective solution and will enable municipalities and operators to expand and speed up

Shuffle site by Schréder and Huawei

their network structure. Huawei is willing to work with all industry leaders to accelerate next- generation connectivity”.

Zhou Yue Feng, chief marketing officer for the Huawei wireless product line and Nicolas Keutgen, chief innovation officer at Schréder signed the MoU on 16 th November at the Global Mobile Broadband Forum in London.

Enquiries: www.huawei.com / www.beka-schreder.co.za

LIGHTING SOLUTION FOR COMPACT URBAN SPACES A ward-winning South African lighting design company, willow- lamp, has launched an accessible ‘Small Space’ collection, the perfect lighting solution for compact urban spaces.

and small spaces all over the world from residences to hotels. The original lighting designs are shaped by the principles of sacred geometry and built with world-class lighting technology, craftsmanship and superior materials to create functional works of art.

The pendants vary in design, and range from the small Babylove, styled on a four-leaf clover, to an array of Moroccan- style lamps that invoke the beauty of North Africa. Each has been created to hang beautifully in a small home or apartment, while creating the same impact as one of the larger willowlamp statement pieces.

Enquiries: willowlamp: clientservice@willowlamp.com

“We have enjoyed great success with our original designs and are still producing our traditional larger installations but we also wanted to expand and create smaller lights that elevate more compact spaces,” said creative director, Adam Hoets, of the new collection. “The new designs give clients a level of creativity; the smaller installations can hang on their own or can be grouped together. We see this as an opportunity to move out of the residential market as the smaller pendants would work equally well in a commercial space, such as a restaurant.” The willowlamp success story began with a single simple idea: the willowlamp notch system that allows curtains of ball chain to flow elegantly from laser-cut steel frames. Today, the cutting-edge designs bring life and light to large

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

DECEMBER 2017