BT Tower Becomes World’s Highest IoT Base Station

London’s BT Tower has become the world’s highest building to host an Internet of Things (IoT) base station and forms part of the Things Connected network in the capital launched by Digital Catapult in September.

Working with the Digital Catapult and IoT connectivity company Everynet, BT is supplying 25 out of 50 low power radio access base stations (LPWAN) across London which will be used to help provide a network backbone in the capital for IoT devices.

Connecting the IoT

Eighteen of such base stations are already in place with the rest to be installed within this financial year, and will offer free access for registered users of the Things Connected test bed.

The network will be used as a means to encourage startups and other companies working in the IoT arena to investigate how the IoT can be used to transform businesses and people’s lives.

“Installing the IoT base station at a record height on BT Tower will ensure the local area becomes a critical part of the Things Connected network. The network will be instrumental in bringing about London’s transformation as a truly smart city, advancing its position as one of the best places in the world to live, work and do business,” said Chris Sims, managing director of Strategy, Marketing and Mobile at BT’s Wholesale and Ventures division.

“We’re delighted that the BT Tower will be one of the base stations for Things Connected, as we look to drive open innovation across the capital. Things Connected will allow us to drive IoT experimentation in areas such as traffic and transport services, energy management and environmental sensing,” added Dr Jeremy Silver, CEO st the Digital Catapult.

“With the network to go live in early 2017, we are excited to create a blueprint for the use of LPWAN which can be used in cities across the UK to drive the adoption of IoT for businesses.”

Under the Things Connected programme, the Digital Catapult plans to extend the LPWAN network across London and to other parts of the UK.

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