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Innovation

Photos: 20 of the world’s most connected, innovative cities

By Conner Forrest April 8, 2015, 11:37 AM PDT

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Photos: 20 of the world’s most connected, innovative cities

1. Seoul, South Korea

Image: iStockphoto/SeanPavonePhoto

1. Seoul, South Korea

One of the largest metro areas in South Korea, Seoul has almost ubiquitous Wi-Fi, media poles, and smart transportation. City commuters use RFID cards for public transportation that calculate and charge for exact distance.

Image: iStockphoto/SeanPavonePhoto
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Photos: 20 of the world’s most connected, innovative cities

2. Hong Kong, China

Image: iStockphoto/leungchopan

2. Hong Kong, China

China’s “Fragrant Harbour” offers free Wi-Fi networks, including one on the city’s Mass Transit Railway (MTR) public transportation. Internet companies such as Tencent and Alibaba have offices there.

Image: iStockphoto/leungchopan
Photos: 20 of the world’s most connected, innovative cities

3. Tokyo, Japan

Image: iStockphoto/shirophoto

3. Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo residents have access to decent Wi-Fi speeds at a pretty good price, and heavy users can get a broadband fiber to the home (FTTH) connection. New transportation technology, such as the magnetic levitation train, and fields like robotics, are also key innovations.

Image: iStockphoto/shirophoto
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Photos: 20 of the world’s most connected, innovative cities

4. Singapore

Image: iStockphoto/MasterLu

4. Singapore

Since its split from Malaysia, Singapore has worked to become one of the most technologically savvy cities in the world. Singapore is well-connected, but it also focuses on integrating technology into education and encouraging new startup companies.

Image: iStockphoto/MasterLu
Photos: 20 of the world’s most connected, innovative cities

5. Barcelona, Spain

Image: Roland Nagy

5. Barcelona, Spain

The city known for hosting the Mobile World Congress show every year is an innovation hub in its own right. City-wide Wi-Fi powers smart parking meters, and a big-data system built on Microsoft Azure helps analyze all the data received by different points in the city, like sensors connected to public utilities.

Image: Roland Nagy
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Photos: 20 of the world’s most connected, innovative cities

6. Montreal, Québec

Image: iStockphoto/rabbit75_ist

6. Montreal, Québec

In addition to providing some free public Wi-Fi, Montreal is also part of the Connecting Cities network, which builds out connected facades for social and artistic content.

Image: iStockphoto/rabbit75_ist
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Photos: 20 of the world’s most connected, innovative cities

7. Seattle, Washington

Image: iStockphoto/kanonsky

7. Seattle, Washington

Home to Microsoft, Amazon, and Starbucks, the Emerald City of Seattle is one of the most broadband-connected cities in the US. Seattle also has an abundance of public Wi-Fi spots.

Image: iStockphoto/kanonsky
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Photos: 20 of the world’s most connected, innovative cities

8. Geneva, Switzerland

Image: iStockphoto/chert61

8. Geneva, Switzerland

Geneva boasts one of the highest internet penetration rates in the country. To address both growth opportunities and risks associated with the internet, theGeneva Internet Platform was initiated by Swiss authorities and is operated by DiploFoundation.

Image: iStockphoto/chert61
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Photos: 20 of the world’s most connected, innovative cities

9. Stockholm, Sweden

Image: iStockphoto/scanrail

9. Stockholm, Sweden

As far as internet usage rates go, Stockholm is one of the top-rated cities in the world. Additionally, the city has been experimenting with WiMAX and hosts some of the top cyber cafu00e9s in the world.

Image: iStockphoto/scanrail
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Photos: 20 of the world’s most connected, innovative cities

10. Helsinki, Finland

Image: iStockphoto/scanrail

10. Helsinki, Finland

In 2010, Finland became the first country in the world to make broadband internet connection a legal right. Helsinki, the capital city, is one of the leading forces behind the country’s advancement.

Image: iStockphoto/scanrail
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Photos: 20 of the world’s most connected, innovative cities

11. Paris, France

interlight.tv

11. Paris, France

With over 200 public hotspots, Paris is an internet-savvy city. The city also hosts the LeWeb conference for innovation and startups.

interlight.tv
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Photos: 20 of the world’s most connected, innovative cities

12. Florence, Italy

Image: iStockphoto/SerrNovik

12. Florence, Italy

One of the most historically significant cities in Italy is also one of its most connected, boasting many free Wi-Fi access points.

Image: iStockphoto/SerrNovik
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Photos: 20 of the world’s most connected, innovative cities

13. Prague, Czech Republic

Image: iStockphoto/QQ7

13. Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is well-wired and connected throughout. Companies such as Siemens and Honeywell have locations there and the city has a high average connection speed.

Image: iStockphoto/QQ7
Photos: 20 of the world’s most connected, innovative cities

14. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Image: iStockphoto/Mapics

14. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Also a leader in average internet speed, Amsterdam also has many innovative initiatives such as Amsterdam Smart City. The city is also home to the Amsterdam Internet Exchange, a not-for-profit organization connected to some of the biggest names in tech.

Image: iStockphoto/Mapics
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Photos: 20 of the world’s most connected, innovative cities

15. Atlanta, Georgia

Image: iStockphoto/SeanPavonePhoto

15. Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta is one of the most wired cities in the US, with a plethora of options for connecting. The city is also being targeted for a Google Fiber rollout.

Image: iStockphoto/SeanPavonePhoto
Photos: 20 of the world’s most connected, innovative cities

16. Vienna, Austria

Image: iStockphoto/josefkubes

16. Vienna, Austria

High average Wi-Fi speeds and readily available Wi-Fi are helping make Vienna a city that is driven by, and focused on, innovation.

Image: iStockphoto/josefkubes
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Photos: 20 of the world’s most connected, innovative cities

17. Tel Aviv, Israel

Image: iStockphoto/slidezero_com

17. Tel Aviv, Israel

Tel Aviv is the innovation capital of Israel. It has birthed many successful startup companies and the city offers free public Wi-Fi to residents.

Image: iStockphoto/slidezero_com
Photos: 20 of the world’s most connected, innovative cities

18. Dubai, UAE

Image: iStockphoto/CesarCrusat

18. Dubai, UAE

Dubai hasn’t always been known as the most connected city, but it has made huge strides over the past few years and is working its way to becoming one of the world’s major connected smart cities.

Image: iStockphoto/CesarCrusat
Photos: 20 of the world’s most connected, innovative cities

19. Taipei, Taiwan

Modern office buildings in Taipei, Taiwan at dusk.

19. Taipei, Taiwan

One of best examples of free public internet, Taipei has a government-backed network that contains more than 5,000 hotspots. The service can be registered for in advance by visitors as well.

Modern office buildings in Taipei, Taiwan at dusk.

Photos: 20 of the world’s most connected, innovative cities

20. Munich, Germany

Image: iStockphoto/sborisov

20. Munich, Germany

The Bavarian capital of Munich is consistently on the front lines of connectivity and innovation. The city has been working on a smart grid and is known for embracing open source technologies.

Image: iStockphoto/sborisov
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By Conner Forrest
Conner is a former Senior Editor for TechRepublic. He is now a Senior Research Analyst at 451 Research.
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