Cellnex connects Casa Bloc – Volume 1: Under construction

At the beginning of this year, we informed you about the start of a project to provide connectivity to social housing in the Llar Casa Bloc in the Sant Andreu district of Barcelona, organised by the Hàbitat3 Foundation.

Over these past months, works have been progressing in Casa Bloc, which will house 17 social rental housing units adapted to the accommodation needs of people at risk of social exclusion. It will be home to around 40 people with mental health issues or addictions, or homeless people, or those suffering residential exclusion, who in turn will receive support from social entities.

Xavier Mauri, CEO of the Hàbitat3 Foundation explains that these people “not only need a home but also support. And our being part of this project will guarantee that, because specialised social entities will provide this support to each of the people according to their needs.”

Part of the works involve converting these housing units into connected homes, which Cellnex will equip with Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity with a double objective: bridging the digital divide suffered by these most vulnerable groups, now more evident than ever due to the lockdown caused by the pandemic; and improving energy efficiency, air quality and comfort in these homes through sensorisation. With real-time data, the social entities will have the tools to be able to provide more proactive care and a preventive service, helping to better manage consumption and be aware of how certain habits impact on bills.