IoT and 5G are making our cities smarter and safer for the privileged , but risk leaving marginalised and rural communities even further behind

The world ’ s cities are changing . 5G and edge computing , twinned with the rapidly expanding Internet of Things ( IoT ), are reshaping the relationship between people and their environments . However , while smart cities represent an unprecedented opportunity to harness technology in ways that dramatically improves the lives of billions , there is no guarantee that the application of these technologies automatically benefits citizens across the board . This month , Mobile World Magazine is exploring the ongoing impact of connected devices on our cities , and the ways in which our smart city future risks leaving marginalised and rural communities even further behind .