LPWAN provider Actility is to launch an Internet of Things network as part of the Chinese government’s plan for a “new Silk Road”.
Its ThingPark solution will be deployed across a 23 square kilometre area in Xi’an Beilin in central China, which was the historic starting point of the Silk Road trading route.
The test network will initially be used for environmental monitoring. Data will be collected, uploaded and analysed within the area, which Actility said would increase and improve scientific decision making as well as work effiency.
It added the network would also encourage investment in the region among high-tech enterprises.
The deployment is part of the Chinese government’s Belt and Road scheme, which has taken the Silk Road as its inspiration and aims to increase trade and stimulate investment across Asia.
Actility will work alongside Xi’an Beilin District Science and Technology Bureau and Shaanxi Radio and Television Network Group on building the network.
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ThingPark China CEO, Bing Liu, said: “We’re excited to launch such a pivotal project, which is set to bring unprecedented socio-economic benefits to Xi’an, and fuel the advancement of the Belt and Road initiative.
“IoT will play an integral role in building the Silk Road into a modern day transport corridor, as digital transformation is a vital part of modern infrastructure projects, and the huge economic and social benefits brought about by the Internet of Things will soon be felt on both a regional and a global scale.”
Mike Mulica, CEO, Actility, added: “China is a vital market for IoT, and with the launch of this network we’re looking forward to driving even more innovation and efficiency, and transforming more cities, workplaces and lives.
“The partnership with Xi’an Beilin District Science and Technology Bureau and Shaanxi Radio and Television Network Group enables us to bring our extensive expertise, gained from deploying LPWA networks all over the world, to the historic and culturally significant city of Xi’an, and support growth and development in the region.
“This network in Xi’an is the first step towards a global-scale cargo tracking and monitoring solution, which will make the New Silk road the standard-bearer of the coming revolution in world-wide trade, powered by the IoT.”