IoT Scotland Expands into East Ayrshire

Scotland’s National Internet of Things (IoT) Network – IoT Scotland – has expanded into East Ayrshire, offering businesses and organisations across the area affordable access to the transformational benefits IoT offers.

IoT Scotland is a pioneering £6m public-private project to deliver a National IoT Network for Scotland.  Backed by the Scottish Government, North is leading the innovative project to build and operate the UK’s most advanced IoT network.

The Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) enables businesses and organisations across Scotland to discover new smarter ways of working utilising IoT technologies to reduce costs, improve performance, and create safer, more secure environments.

East Ayrshire Council partnered with North to ensure public sector and business can take advantage of the wide-ranging benefits smart technologies deliver. Working with the Council’s transformation team, North has rolled out widespread coverage to rural areas, and towns and villages, including Kilmarnock, Stewarton, Auchinleck, and Dalmellington.

Potential applications where IoT delivers significant efficiencies and improves services include intelligent street lighting that responds to conditions and movement, helping reduce energy usage and creating safer places; waste management systems that detect bin fill levels, predict collection dates, enabling safer, more efficient routes to be planned; and flood monitoring systems that monitor water levels, predicting potential risk, helping to safeguard lives and protect communities.

Councillor Gordon Jenkins, cabinet member with responsibility for Management and Resources at East Ayrshire Council welcomed today’s announcement. He said:

“We are proud to be part of this partnership with North, which will bring an Internet of Things (IoT) network to East Ayrshire.”

“This £6m digital programme will bring fantastic benefits to communities locally and will enable our businesses to innovate using sensor technologies. Equipment has been installed in 26 different locations across East Ayrshire, resulting in approximately 80% coverage initially.”

“The data captured by the IoT network will help inform local businesses and communities and could greatly assist in our collective response to issues such as flooding and other severe weather incidents.”