Internet of Things comes to East Hampshire with IoT network initiative between council and local IoT start-up

Petersfield to become a national IoT hub?

East Hampshire could be getting its own Internet of Things (IoT) network following a joint initiative between East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) and a local start-up planning an IoT network that would span the UK.

The network will incorporate low-powered, long-life sensors that are able to collect data and pass this along to businesses in the county. The data sent by the sensors will be picked up by a network of antennae across the county.

Each antenna is 1.8 metres tall and 20cm wide. They will be placed on public buildings, including Penns Place, where the Council is based.

Alex Barter, the entrepreneur behind the project and founder of IoT start-up Barter of Things, claimed that the network could be used by almost any business that wants to track and measure data.

"The network will let businesses place specially-designed sensors, to measure any information they need, anywhere in the district," he said.

"Sensors can be designed to measure anything - air temperature, humidity, water levels or they can check the location of valuable equipment using GPS," he added.

The sensors will then relay information back to the network, which can then be accessed by the businesses.

"That will mean businesses can save time and money making regular visits to gather data manually or can be assured they know where their equipment is and that it is in working order," he said.

Barter had contacted EHDC's economic and commercial development teams to ask for help in setting up the network.

According to Councillor Ferris Cowper, the council "immediately saw the huge potential of his idea".

"The network will bring economic benefits for businesses that use the network and those that design and create sensors," he said.

UK councils have been looking at using IoT in a number of ways, including easing traffic congestion, reducing pollution and tending to social care issues.