Interoperability key for smart cities: Standards Australia

Standards Australia is urging the government to invest in good internet coverage, connected technology and open data to ensure Australia’s economic prosperity.

The body will address the House Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Cities tomorrow to discuss the government’s role in fostering the development of a sound digital infrastructure for Australia.

In a submission to the committee, Standards Australia argued that ensuring the interoperability of technology is a key requirement in transitioning to smart, more connected cities, and standards may need to be developed to facilitate this.

The submission cited a recent report that found that the potential global cost savings of implementing standardised Internet of Things solutions for smart cities at US$341 billion compared to the cost of implementing non-standardised solutions by 2025.

“Australian and international standards are already widely referenced across sectors integral to the development of connected cities, and engender the potential to support more widespread adoption of the Internet of Things revolution,” it states.

Committee chair John Alexander said the discussion is timely considering that cities such as Newcastle are already establishing digital infrastructure and taking preliminary steps towards open data.

“We need to investigate the policy, legislative and standard settings needed to support the interoperability of technology now, before this technology is widespread and the opportunity has passed,” he said.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/madpixblue

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