Bell and City of Kingston partner for Smart City program

Internet of Things data integration to improve operational efficiency, enhance city services

KINGSTON, ON, Feb. 7, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Kingston City Council has approved an agreement towards a public-private partnership between the city and Bell that will employ Bell's Smart City platform to provide a series of connected Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Bell's innovative technology will create a more mobile, efficient, collaborative and environmentally sustainable Smart City.

"Technological advances are absolutely critical and one of the key factors to our future and economic success throughout the Kingston region," said Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson. "A Smart City uses technology and data to improve livability and opportunities for the city and its people. This partnership with Bell will create cutting-edge technology for us and put Kingston on the map as being one of the most innovative cities in Canada and a leading Smart City, while improving everyday life for the people of Kingston."

Supported by Bell's advanced fibre and wireless broadband networks, the Smart City platform will aggregate data from numerous IoT monitoring solutions coupled with the city's open data to provide municipal staff with a digital dashboard containing a consolidated, city-wide view of municipal operations. The Smart City platform will enable Kingston to digitize its operations and collect data to make better informed decisions and investments in city operations and infrastructure, benefiting constituents, internal departments and employees while improving citizen engagement.

"Bell is proud to partner with a technology and innovation leader like Kingston to realize the benefits of the Smart City," said Bell Senior Vice President Gary Semplonius. "The Smart City platform will offer city staff a comprehensive and consolidated view of connected city services supporting better operating efficiencies, cost savings and improved services for Kingston residents, businesses and visitors."

The first two Smart City solutions of the pilot program will be rolled out this spring:

• Energy management: Energy analytics help reduce carbon emissions and meet municipal environmental targets while providing financial savings and enhanced productivity of staff through better coordinated maintenance.
  
• Digital kiosks: Bridging the digital divide by providing Wi-Fi access, real-time event updates, charging station services, tourism promotion, remotely managed video cameras, city information and 9-1-1 emergency buttons.

"Awareness of Smart Cities has grown enormously over the past year. Municipal, provincial and federal governments realize that they can positively alter the lives of millions of urban residents with the technology and data-driven opportunities that digital transformation provides," says Nigel Wallis, IDC Canada's Vice President of IoT and Industries. "Smart City initiatives benefit civic institutions through provisioning sensor data that is analysed, and acted upon by staff and citizens. This makes for better decisions, made faster. IDC believes that the Internet of Things has the potential to enhance efficiency while enabling governments to deliver services in ways that were not previously possible. It is heartening to see a medium-sized city embrace IoT, showing that mid-sized towns are well positioned to take the lead as Canada's Smart Cities."

The Government of Canada announced $300 million in funding over 11 years in Budget 2017 towards a Smart Cities Challenge Fund. The Infrastructure Canada initiative is designed to encourage cities to improve the lives of their citizens through innovative connected technology.

The IoT solutions being implemented in Kingston are part of a Smart City program offered by Bell that will enable cities to quickly transform their operations within months so they can start collecting data, analyze insights and make smarter decisions. For more information about Bell's IoT solutions, please visit Bell.ca/IoT.

About the City of Kingston
Kingston's vision of being a smart, livable 21st century city is fast becoming reality. History and innovation thrive in our dynamic city located along the beautiful shores of Lake Ontario, an easy drive from Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, in the heart of eastern Ontario. With a stable and diversified economy that includes global corporations, innovative startups and all levels of government, Kingston's high quality of life offers access to world-class education and research institutions, advanced healthcare facilities, affordable living and vibrant entertainment and tourism activities. To learn more, please visit www.CityofKingston.ca.

About Bell
Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing advanced broadband wireless, TV, Internet and business communication services throughout the country. Bell Media is Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio, out of home, and digital media. Founded in Montréal in 1880, Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. (TSX: BCE; NYSE: BCE). To learn more, please visit Bell.ca or BCE.ca.

The Bell Let's Talk initiative promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like Bell Let's Talk Day, and provides significant Bell funding of mental health care and access, research and workplace leadership initiatives. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.

Media inquiries

City of Kingston
Communications and customer experience department
613-546-4291 ext. 2300
@CityofKingston

Bell
Nathan Gibson
905-614-9596
[email protected] 
@Bell_News

Bell investor inquiries

Thane Fotopoulos
514-870-4619
[email protected]

SOURCE Bell Canada