With the onslaught of smart watches, smart thermostats, and even smart refrigerators that allow you to Tweet hangry messages to your followers, it’s only natural that a “smart city” would follow.

This week, San Francisco city officials agreed to run a one-year pilot project with Sigfox – an FCC certified French start-up that builds low-power wireless networks – to create an Internet of Things (“IoT”) wireless network that caters exclusively to smart devices with low-bandwidth apps. While the term “wireless network” typically conjures up thoughts of the ubiquitous Wi-Fi symbol, this low-power, wide area network (“LPWAN”) on which Sigfox will operate is entirely separate from traditional cellular networks, which require a much higher level of data streaming and power usage.

Sigfox and city technology crews have installed about 20 of its base stations throughout San Francisco, using libraries and other city buildings. Each base station covers about 12 to 18 miles and is roughly the size of a briefcase. Device makers who want to join the network must install a radio chip that costs less than $2 and comes loaded with the Sigfox firmware.
Continue Reading San Francisco Launches First “Internet of Things” Wireless Network in United States