Smart infrastructure company Boston Networks has announced the launch of an Internet of Things (IoT) network for Scotland at the Glasgow Science Centre. During the first stage of the IoT Scotland program, Glasgow will get 22 long range wide-area network (LoRaWAN) gateways. This will provide 99 percent of the required coverage, making the city the most LoRA-covered in the UK, “with the potential to become the smartest”.
IoT Scotland will manage a wireless sensor network to collect data from and exchange that data between compatible IoT devices, and transmit the information without the need for mobile phone or Wi-Fi connectivity. The initiative will enable businesses and public sector organisations to develop new and innovative applications, supporting the expansion of smart places throughout the country.
Falk Bleyl, Chief technology officer at Boston Networks, said, “We are excited to be leading this pioneering project to build and operate the IoT network and drive the commercialisation of the Internet of Things across Scotland. There will be a forecasted 25 billion IoT devices connected by 2025, and only a small number will be connected to the internet using 3G, 4G or WiFi. LoRa networks like IoT Scotland are going to become increasingly important – they have the potential to be as disruptive to businesses as the internet has been already to our daily lives.“
Speaking at the event, Innovation Minister Ivan McKee commented, “To ensure we reap the rewards of these important technological advances, Scotland must be at the forefront and help drive innovation. This is why the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise have collectively invested £2.84 million in IoT Scotland to ensure that as a nation we are able to benefit from the numerous economic and social benefits that they can bring.”
Argyll and Bute Council has also registered as an early adopter, revealing the plans for primary installations in Oban and Helensburgh. The network planning negotiations are carried out with other councils and associations throughout the country, with a full deployment planned by March 2021. Boston Networks will install all of the devices and manage the system.
