The North Wales Economic Ambition Board has announced a plan to develop a low power wide area network (LPWAN) for the region.
It said the prime purposes will be to support public services through greater use of internet of things (IoT) sensors and devices and to enable businesses to explore opportunities for innovation.
The board – a regional body for promoting economic, social and environmental wellbeing in the region – has approved the business case for the LPWAN and indicated that it should be in place across the six counties by 2027.
It said the investment is a key component of the broader Connected Campuses Project – part of the North Wales Growth Deal – and aligns with the Welsh Government’s Digital Strategy for Wales.
Innovation ambition
Mark Pritchard, leader of Wrexham County Borough Council and lead member for digital connectivity on the Ambition Board, said: “The Connected Campuses project aims to develop the region into a digital innovation hub. The approval of the business justification case for LPWAN is an important part of this.”
He added: “The initiative is designed to ensure we can exploit the latest digital technologies and encourage businesses to trial innovative applications and explore new opportunities.
“The benefits of LPWAN have already been demonstrated through the SMART Gwynedd a Môn project which uses data to inform decisions around high street regeneration. Councils such as Wrexham have also been investigating the potential for the technology, with clear scope to support service delivery and our ambitions for smart towns and cities.”
Ken Skates, the Welsh Government’s cabinet secretary for economy, transport and North Wales, said: It’s good to see the Growth Deal supporting this project which will help the region to build on its existing strengths to become a digital innovation hub, including work already done in Conwy, Gwynedd and Wrexham with LoRaWAN technology.”
