11 November 2016

Glasgow is using LoRa technology in an IoT network that covers a 12 sq. km. area across the city.

Internet of Things (IoT) coverage in Scotland is to be extended with the launch of four new networks. 

The announcement, made at the end of October, follows the rollout of a WAN using LoRa long range, low power technology across Glasgow earlier this year.

The Scottish Government recently stated a commitment to making the country a leader in IoT technologies.

The new networks include one in Orkney where the LoRa deployment will complement the island’s existing TV white space (TVWS) technology.  This uses the VHF/UHF channels released by the analogue TV switch-off to transmit internet traffic wirelessly over long distances. 

Paisley, which will bid to be UK City of Culture 2021, will also benefit from the IoT. Among other potential applications, the network will be used to monitor local social housing for damp and help tackle fuel poverty.

Aberdeen and Dundee are the two other cities included in the rollout. 

A consortium of experts, including the Scottish Innovation Centre for Sensor and Imaging Systems (CENSIS), Boston Networks and Stream Technologies, will work with local partners to deploy all four networks. 

Together with Glasgow University, Strathclyde University and Glasgow Caledonian University, the three organisations were part of the group that installed Glasgow’s IoT network. It covers 12km² across the city to enable the development and use of devices such as environmental monitors, pollution sensors, tags for tracking valuable assets, and social care devices to support independent living.