Internet of Things round-up: Czech firm tests LoRa, Hillary’s broadband plan and EU IoT security
From the democratisation of broadband for all in the US, to experts calling for less focus on cyber security, the Internet of Things is an increasingly powerful force
Metering.com highlights some of the noteworthy headlines in the Internet of Things this past week: Czech telecoms company test LoRa tech pilot, Hillary Clinton unveils five-year infrastructure plan and key industry figures highlight potentially damaging fixation on IoT security.
Czech telecommunications company České Radiokomunikace (ČRa) has partnered with Semtech Corporation to test LoRa communications technology for its first IoT pilot programme.
The pilot network which was developed by ČRa for RWE GasNet and knowledge and content management systems Softlink, uses “pulse sensors on the RWE gas pipeline to capture data that is then sent via the LoRa radio network into the ČRa cloud,” reported M2M World News.
The LoRa wireless RF technology was tested under real life conditions for various use cases including indoor, and outdoor with direct visibility through building walls and underground.
Earlier this year, ČRa partnered with RWE GasNet and Softlink to develop a LoRa-based solution that attempted to demonstrate the reach, low power consumption and low operational costs of LoRa technology for smart metering applications.
Vice president of System Business Development for Semtech’s Wireless, Sensing and Timing Product Group, Jaap Groot, said that ČRa wants to provide smart city infrastructure for its partners, and found that LoRa technology and LoRaWAN protocol are suitable for its IoT deployments.
The LoRa pilot has been implemented in Prague and surrounding suburbs. ČRa expects to launch the network by the end of 2015.
Hilary’s plan to democratise broadband
US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has unveiled a five-year plan to invest US$275 billion to upgrade US infrastructure, with a core focus on expanding faster broadband connections to millions of US citizens.
According to a US news source, Ms Clinton is seeking to “invest in the technology of the future and embrace the Internet of Things” towards creating smart cities that will be fit for connected citizens, businesses and services, including free Wi-Fi.
The US politician’s vision looks to bolster public infrastructure - roads and bridges, public transit, freight rail, airports, broadband Internet and water systems.
The US$275 million infrastructure upgrade proposal is reported to be the “most expensive domestic policy proposal she’s made to date.”
IoT security hampering innovation
At a recent Internet of Things event held in Brussels, key industry figures pointed to a fixation on IoT security hampering innovation in the sector.
Wim de Waele, economist and computer scientist and CEO of Belgium’s Eggsplore, highlighted the need for large-scale pilot projects to experiment with the technology.
Mr de Waele said: “ I would encourage the European Commission and local authorities to not only put the user in the middle but get rid of the privacy rules they are so hung up about.”
He stressed that privacy rules are stifling the introduction of new technologies and explained that these rules could be relaxed in controlled environments.
De Waele added: “Organisations where ideas flow freely are the future.
“If organisations adapt, they can be hotbeds of innovation. As a large organisation you have to think about how to build an ecosystem that captures external innovation.”
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