Vodafone said it will test NB-IoT applications with a number of partners
U.K.-based telecoms group Vodafone has confirmed it is working with Dublin City Council (DCC) to test narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT) sensors in the Docklands Smart District as part of the wider Smart Dublin initiative.
Both organizations are also creating a 50,000 euros ($ 58,000) innovation fund aimed at start-ups and researchers to test smart city technologies on the NB-IoT platform, which will be administered by Smart Dublin and DCU Alpha.
“The Smart Docklands District, with its density of new builds, global tech companies, smart assets and range of connectivity options, provides a unique platform for SMEs and entrepreneurs to develop new and innovative solutions that will transform the way our cities operate,” said Jamie Cudden, smart city programme manager at the Dublin City Council.
One of the first technologies being deployed on Vodafone’s NB-IoT network is a new product innovation which focuses on flood monitoring and response. Voguetek, an Irish SME, is developing low cost connected sensors that will use the new NB-IoTnetwork to communicate potential problems to the council before they become a hazard. The technology has the potential to be used across the country in urban and rural areas.
Another use case will be smart rubbish bins that will alert local authorities once bins are full to improve Dublin’s cleanliness.
Arkessa inks IoT alliance with Iotic Labs
In related news, Arkessa, MVNO service provider for enterprise IoT has entered into a strategic alliance with Iotic Labs, a provider of secure interoperability middleware for Smart Cities with a specific focus on transport, buildings and facilities management.
The two companies said that the partnership allows both companies to leverage their partner networks to accelerate the execution of smart city projects which are frequently impacted by the challenges of working with numerous technology providers, cross departmental boundaries, or conflicting business models.
“The team at Iotic take the novel approach that IoT should be more about accessing the right data and building business value from a hybrid data strategy where they combine Enterprises’ own IoT deployments and third-party data published anonymously and securely into Iotic Space,” said Andrew Orrock, Arkessa CEO said.
