The government of Jersey has approved a non-recurring budget transfer of up to £449,000 to enable Digital Jersey to establish the island as an Internet of Things (IoT) testbed.
Digital Jersey will use the funds to set up an IoT Lab, promoting the growth of the local digital sector and creating opportunities for product development.
The initiative is part of a series of projects that have applied for funding from the Economic and Productivity Growth Drawdown Provision, which supports initiatives to improve economic growth and productivity on the island.
Investment in the IoT sector is consistent with the government of Jersey’s aims to promote the digital economy and to position Jersey as a testbed jurisdiction based on its telecommunications infrastructure.
Assistant Minister, Deputy Scott Wickenden, commented: “The global growth of IoT presents significant opportunities for Jersey, but we will need to invest in promoting and fostering the sector if we are to see a strong local IoT presence."
Digital Jersey says it has been working with JT, Sure and JEC and other utility companies, information services and States of Jersey departments to develop an IoT strategy for Jersey.
Its CEO, Tony Moretta, said: “We are delighted to be given the go-ahead to create a facility that will offer a focal point for businesses to collaborate and share resources, apply research to real-life scenarios, and turn IoT ideas into commercial ventures.
“The IoT Lab will offer access to a data platform for analysing large data sets collected from IoT sensors around Jersey, and communal workshop space for building and testing IoT devices.”