London’s BT Tower has become the world’s highest building to host an Internet of Things (IoT) base station, at a height of 180m.
The building now forms part of the expanding Things Connected network in the capital launched by Digital Catapult in September this year.
Working with the Digital Catapult and IoT connectivity firm Everynet, BT is providing 25 out of 50 low power radio access base stations across London which will be used to help provide a network backbone in the capital for IoT devices.
Eighteen of such base stations are already in place with the remaining planned to be installed within this financial year.
Things Connected will be an open IoT testbed, free of charge for registered users in London. The network will be used as a means to encourage small businesses, start-ups and the local community to investigate how the IoT can be used to transform their businesses and people’s lives.
BT Wholesale & Ventures managing director of strategy, marketing and mobile Chris Sims said: “Installing the IoT base station at a record height on BT Tower will ensure the local area becomes a critical part of the Things Connected network.
“The network will be instrumental in bringing about London’s transformation as a truly smart city, advancing its position as one of the best places in the world to live, work and do business.” 
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Digital Catapult CEO Jeremy Silver said: “Things Connected will allow us to drive IoT experimentation in areas such as traffic and transport services, energy management and environmental sensing.
“With the network to go live in early 2017, we are excited to create a blueprint for the use of LPWAN which can be used in cities across the UK to drive the adoption of IoT for businesses.”
Digital Catapult aims to expand the network throughout the London and other parts of the UK.
Things Connected has the potential to drive experimentation and innovation in IoT in areas including infrastructure provision, traffic and transport services, energy management and environmental sensing.
Machina Research expects the UK IoT marketplace to increase to £20bn by 2018 from the existing £13.3bn value.
