Connecting the UK’s smart cities Expert Insight T he UK’s leading cities are engaged in a global competition that has never been tougher. Cities with 21st century digital infrastructure are in the best position to attract investment and talent; using digital services to drive social and economic regeneration. On the other hand, cities with outdated infrastructure will fall behind in this global race. The latest digital wave of growth is coming from the internet of things (IoT) – connecting millions of devices or “things” to drive actionable intelligence, bringing massive benefits to businesses and citizens alike. This connected intelligence helps cities tackle many of the big challenges they face today from reducing pollution, enhancing security, through to efficient heating and lighting. The UK’s leading cities possess the capability and ingenuity to become world IoT leaders, as we have already shown in the digital creative industries and hi-tech life sciences. Yet we are being held back from realising the full potential of the IoT because we lack the right infrastructure. In particular, connectivity needs vary considerably and a broad portfolio of communications technologies is required to make cities truly “smart”. Specific technologies are needed to meet particular requirements, like the network Arqiva is building to connect smart meters in around 10 million homes. Moreover, existing commercial technology, which is ideal for high-bandwidth communications for applications like CCTV or in-car entertainment, is not economical when it comes to providing small-message size connectivity for simple sensor devices. Now this is changing. Arqiva is building an Internet of Things network to provide nationwide low-power, low-cost connectivity for the first time, starting with ten major UK cities by April 2015 and in partnership with SIGFOX which already has similar networks in place internationally. Low-power consumption allows batteries to last longer, avoiding the cost and inconvenience of swapping these out. Total costs are also considerably lower due to inexpensive devices that need replacing less often and highly competitive costs for communications connectivity. These advantages massively expand the range of things that feasibly can be connected, increasing the benefits to consumers and businesses alike. For businesses, including those in technology clusters like TechCity London, Bristol and Glasgow, this creates the unique opportunity to shape a whole new industry. Arqiva is already bringing together UK businesses to create new services – adding to live applications developed by SIGFOX and its partners internationally. These services will help all organisations to reduce operational costs and risks, and provide better customer service. Citizens’ lives will improve, from the convenience of finding a parking space quickly, or emptying rubbish bins at the right time, to providing the peace of mind that smoke alarms are working properly – to name just a few existing applications that can be delivered using Arqiva’s IoT network. The UK can take a lead by grasping the full potential of the internet of things, to make our cities more attractive, drive economic growth and improve people’s day-to-day lives. It is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss. Find out more about Arqiva’s approach to the internet of things at www.arqiva.com/m2m [email protected] Internet of things connectivity is essential for cities to compete and grow INDUSTRY VIEW
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Business Technology July 2014 an independent report from lyonsdown, distributed with the sunday telegraph
10 | Internet of things
Connecting the UK’s smart cities
Exp
ertInsight
The UK’s leading cities are engaged in a global competition that has never been tougher. Cities with 21st
century digital infrastructure are in the best position to attract investment and talent; using digital services to drive social and economic regeneration. On the other hand, cities with outdated infrastructure will fall behind in this global race.
The latest digital wave of growth is coming from the internet of things (IoT) – connecting millions of devices or “things” to drive actionable intelligence,
bringing massive benefits to businesses and citizens alike. This connected intelligence helps cities tackle many of the big challenges they face today from reducing pollution, enhancing security, through to efficient heating and lighting.
The UK’s leading cities possess the capability and ingenuity to become world IoT leaders, as we have already shown in the digital creative industries and hi-tech life sciences. Yet we are being held back from realising the full potential of the IoT because we lack the right infrastructure.
In particular, connectivity needs vary considerably and a broad portfolio of communications technologies is required to make cities truly “smart”. Specific technologies are needed to meet particular requirements, like the network Arqiva is building to connect smart meters in around 10 million homes. Moreover, existing commercial technology, which is ideal for high-bandwidth communications for applications like CCTV or in-car entertainment, is not economical when it comes to providing small-message size connectivity for simple sensor devices.
Now this is changing. Arqiva is building an Internet of Things network to provide nationwide low-power, low-cost connectivity for the first time, starting with ten major UK cities by April 2015 and in partnership with SIGFOX which already has similar networks in place internationally.
Low-power consumption allows batteries to last longer, avoiding the cost and inconvenience of swapping these out. Total costs are also considerably lower due to inexpensive devices that need replacing less often and highly competitive costs for communications connectivity. These advantages massively expand the range of things that feasibly can be connected, increasing the benefits to consumers and businesses alike.
For businesses, including those in technology clusters like TechCity London, Bristol and Glasgow, this creates the unique opportunity to shape a whole new industry. Arqiva is already bringing together UK businesses to
create new services – adding to live applications developed by SIGFOX and its partners internationally. These services will help all organisations to reduce operational costs and risks, and provide better customer service.
Citizens’ lives will improve, from the convenience of finding a parking space quickly, or emptying rubbish bins at the right time, to providing the peace of mind that smoke alarms are working properly – to name just a few existing applications that can be delivered using Arqiva’s IoT network.
The UK can take a lead by grasping the full potential of the internet of things, to make our cities more attractive, drive economic growth and improve people’s day-to-day lives. It is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss.
Find out more about Arqiva’s approach to the internet of things at www.arqiva.com/m2m [email protected]
Internet of things connectivity is essential for cities to compete and grow
INDUSTRY VIEW
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