Hull accelerates smart city status with citywide IoT infrastructure

Technology firm Connexin has completed a project to support the use of Internet of Things (IoT) technology in Hull.

The company set up the UK’s biggest commercial carrier-grade citywide long range wide area network, or ‘LoRaWAN’, in the city.

The infrastructure provides low cost, low power connectivity capable of supporting millions of wireless IoT devices.

Connexin confirmed it will offer limited open access to the network for hobbyists, community groups and educational organisations, including schools pursuing STEM learning opportunities.

One of the first initiatives to use the LoRaWAN will be a smart bins pilot project to improve waste collection, announced recently by Hull City Council.

It is hoped the works will help Hull accelerate its bid to become one of the UK’s leading smart cities.

Furqan Alamgir, CEO of Connexin, said: “We are incredibly proud to deliver the UK’s largest commercial carrier-grade LoRaWAN network in Hull.

“As a local business, our passion for the North has always been part of our DNA, so we are excited for Hull to be seen as a key player at the heart of the Northern Powerhouse.”

Furqan continued: “By investing in and building this infrastructure, Connexin will provide a platform for public sector, community groups, education and research providers, industry, businesses and entrepreneurs to develop their smart applications and ideas.

“This pioneering work in Hull will enable us to support other cities to transform their services through carrier-grade LoRaWAN across the country. As we expand these networks, we will realise our vision to make the UK one of the smartest countries in the world.”

Hull City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic Investment, Cllr Daren Hale, commented: “Hull is now pushing to be one of the UK’s leading smart cities, and we are always keen to explore ways in which we can make our services much more effective.

“The delivery of this technology already enables us to provide an improved service for our residents with the roll-out of smart bins. We are delighted to see how this vision can be developed across the authority.”

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