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Optimising energy consumption and gathering data on things like traffic movement form part of Luxembourg’s third revolution sustainability strategyPhoto: Tom Grimbert/Unsplash 

The event showed business leaders the major projects and players in the country using connected devices to gather data and share it through the IoT.

The larger than expected interest meant organisers had to relocate the conference from Knokke Out, in Rives de Clausen, to the Chamber of Commerce where at least 157 people attended. This was known with some certainty because a connected sensor counted the footfall and relayed it to an interface shown during the conference, in what was a demonstration of how IoT can be used to control room capacity and monitor things like air temperature and pollution.

Post “IoT evangelist” Laurent Rapin described other uses already deployed in Luxembourg with its partner Software AG, such as geomarketing by detecting footfall near to an advertising billboard based on connected phones in the vicinity; honey production and hive security; and smart parking. “Why is Post deploying in IoT? Because there are business opportunities,” Rapin said in his presentation.

“In such a small country like Luxembourg, the revenue of connections from IoT will only be modest. But, we all have an interest in expanding the value chain in all the layers of IoT.”

Sigfox network

According to RMS managing director Carlo Posing, what makes connected devices so interesting is that the opportunities are seemingly limitless since “everyone can create their own sensor and make it work” to find a solution to their business need. RMS has partnered with IoT network Sigfox to deploy an open network around the country, supported by 40 antennae.

Luxembourg is the fourth of 45 countries in the world to have implemented the network, which is cheaper than 5G and has a long autonomy. The network is used to gather IoT data on water consumption to detect leaks, for example, smoke detectors, to determine if it works and parking habits in a connected car park in Ettelbruck.

“The nicest deployment we have is in Boulaide,” Posing told Delano on the sidelines of the conference. This commune in the centre of the country has embraced IoT to connect to sensors that measure water consumption and make that information accessible to residents and smoke alarms, which is particularly useful for empty properties.

“The third application is elderly people,” Posing added, saying that elderly people need no longer be tied to their homes where until now most connected devices have been installed.

Take-up in the private sector is growing with construction being the next big thrust for IoT in Luxembourg to connect all systems used in a home such as energy, water and security. “I believe it’s going to become a standard,” Posing said.

Optimising energy consumption and gathering data on things like traffic movement form part of Luxembourg’s third revolution sustainability strategy, outlined in 2017. In 2018, Post rolled out its Big Picture IoT focus and in 2019 it will continue adding value in this direction by launching the Post Digital Hub.