In my home land of Scotland, trials are set to start of smart lamp-posts that provide high-speed internet access. The idea will be tested in Dundee later this month. If successful, the system could be rolled out to more areas.
The idea combines lamp-posts with solar energy and "wi-fi" wireless internet access.
The lamp-post use light-emitting diode (LED) technology to provide bright light using low power derived from solar cells which use daylight to recharge even in overcast weather.
The company involved in the project, Compliance Technology, said that Scottish councils had already demonstrated a lot of interest in the project, which could be getting rolled out to other areas in Scotland including Orkney, Perth and Kinross, and Dumfries and Galloway.