The Netherlands has become the first country to create a dedicated network to support the Internet of Things (IoT).
The Internet of Things is a world in which most of our everyday devices have network connectivity — your house lights, dishwasher or thermostat, for instance.
In a statement released Thursday, the Dutch telecoms group KPN said they have made their long-range (LoRa) network throughout the country.
Using the network, businesses and utilities will be able to exchange data and remotely control devices such as delivery trucks, traffic lights or rail switches. Private users will be able to remotely communicate with their home appliances and cars.
The Internet of Things is widely seen as the next technological revolution, in which Wi-Fi-connected devices are able to communicate directly, coordinate their activity and increase efficiency and productivity while saving time and energy.
IoT is usually associated with smart homes and smart power grids but also smart road signs or smart baggage handling at airports.
Amsterdam’s busy Schiphol Airport is already testing a networked system that is expected to greatly improve the efficiency of checking, directing, loading, unloading and delivering baggage.
Already, about 1.5 million objects in the Netherlands are connected to the Internet of Things and KPN said demand is rising constantly. Critics point out that the system is vulnerable to cyberattacks as well as breaches of privacy.
