|
Videos
April 3, 2012 By News Staff
The Internet of things is becoming reality as state and local governments invest in a growing number of “smart” infrastructure projects. The term, coined in 1999 by British technology pioneer Kevin Ashton, refers to the connecting of physical objects to the Internet via sensors and other technologies. The concept envisions, for example, roads that sense looming traffic jams or electrical grids that automatically react to spiking energy demands.
A survey of senior-level state and local policymakers and managers shows that more than 40 percent of them have smart technology projects or pilots underway in their jurisdictions. The results are based on responses from 113 members of the Governing Exchange, an online community of government executives.
You may use or reference this story with attribution and a link to
http://www.govtech.com/transportation/Internet-of-Things-Government.html
Collaborative Justice: Transforming Criminal Justice Services Through Unified Collaboration
Cloud-Based Services Accelerate Public Sector Adoption of Video Collaboration
Local government and public works officials have long since been using or planning to use "smart infrastructure" for projects. However, the bigger question here is not how those tools will be utilized effectively, but how cities will do so while maintaining low recurring costs as well as providing efficient connections to these devices in even the most difficult locations. Similarly, the next concern should be what will happen to these devices if national wireless carriers end-of-life 2G connections - the most cost-effective wireless network for machine-to-machine network connectivity. At some point, might it be possible that government mandates some sliver of 2G spectrum to continue to operate in order to protect its investments in M2M-driven and connected public services? This could get very interesting indeed…