ORILLIA, ON – The City of Orillia is teaming up with Bell on an Internet of Things (IoT) initiative that it says will solidify its commitment as a developing Smart City.
The pilot project will leverage Bell’s Smart City platform to collect, organize and centralize data from wireless IoT applications to help the City make better informed decisions on matters like municipal operations and infrastructure.
The research partnership agreement comes on the heels of last week’s announcement that Bell will invest in Orillia over the next few years to provide fibre connectivity to its residences and businesses.
Elements of the pilot project include a centralized view of connected city services enabling improved collaboration between City departments, improved operating efficiencies and enhanced services for city residents and visitors; a public Wi-Fi network in the Downtown Business Improvement Area and along the city’s waterfront in Couchiching Beach Park; and two multi-function digital kiosks (pictured) that will provide touchscreen directional wayfinding and promote local businesses and events to residents and visitors.
The kiosk and Wi-Fi solutions will be launched this summer, with the other solutions implemented this fall and next spring.
“We are proud to partner with the City of Orillia to demonstrate the many benefits the Bell Smart City platform can provide to communities of all sizes,” said said Bell SVP Gary Semplonius, in the news release. “Orillia is clearly a leader in the adoption of innovative technology and is well positioned to take the lead as one of Canada’s Smart Cities.”
“The partnership with Bell moves the City of Orillia to the forefront of communities in Canada in the area of Smart City initiatives, and promotes the City as an innovative community in which to do business,” added Orillia Mayor Steve Clarke. “The digital kiosks will enhance the tourism experience, promoting local community events and businesses to visitors to the City.”
Orillia was identified by Bell as a prime “small municipal” (less than 50,000 population) partner due to its recent growth and progressive embrace of smart technologies. Bell has also announced pilot projects with two larger Ontario municipalities, the City of Kingston and the City of St. Catharines.
