IoT Scotland partners with North Lanarkshire to support Digital First Vision

IoT Scotland has expanded into North Lanarkshire providing Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity to towns and villages across the county.

IoT Scotland is the Scottish Government backed National IoT Network enabling businesses and organisations across Scotland to access transformational and affordable technology. 

As Scotland’s fourth largest authority, North Lanarkshire share an inspiring ambition to deliver inclusive growth for all.  Working with North Lanarkshire Council, North has rolled out IoT connectivity across the area, including the towns of Motherwell, Airdrie, Coatbridge, Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Shotts.

North Lanarkshire’s vision is to become a digital first council is well underway and IoT technology is the next step to becoming a sustainable and digitally focused council, enriching the lives and experiences of citizens.

Along with the rest of the country, North Lanarkshire has seen many changes resulting from the coronavirus pandemic that have impacted communities and services. By embracing the reactive changes, they are now looking at how technology can increase the efficiency of services via their Recovery plan that will help establish North Lanarkshire as a leading digital authority.

The expansion comes as North launches their fully funded IoT Accelerator packs that offer local authorities access to funded smart IoT Solutions. Councils can benefit from a free 12-month trial of a variety of IoT solutions that address the real-life challenges local authorities face, such as Intelligent lighting that can help to reduce energy consumption and provide operational efficiencies.

The roll out of the Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) enables businesses and citizens of North Lanarkshire to discover new smarter ways of working utilising IoT technologies to reduce costs, improve performance, and create safer, more secure environments.

Alasdair Rettie, Group Technical Director at North, said: “Scotland is leading the way in the Internet of Things and how Smart Solutions can create a sustainable way of working for every industry. North’s IoT Accelerator packs are allowing local authorities to investigate and evaluate innovative solutions and to harness data to deliver a range of societal and economic benefits”.

Robert Steenson, Executive Director, Enterprise and Communities at North Lanarkshire Council said, “We recognise that connectivity technologies and innovative digital solutions are crucial for connecting and empowering businesses across North Lanarkshire.

“North’s infrastructure adds to the range of connectivity solutions available that can be used by our own services but also by businesses and people in our communities, providing smarter, connected and digitally-driven solutions,  that will transform our communities, drive investment and stimulate the local economy.”