Canadian national carrier Bell has partnered with Chinese device manufacturer Huawei, as well as Ontario-based Internet of Things (IoT) service provider BeWhere, to connect an Ontario winery to the internet through LTE-M.
According to a November 9th, 2017 media release, the Henry of Pelham vineyard in the Niagara region will be able to “remotely monitor temperature and water levels, prevent vine disease and ultimately improve the health of its plants,” by connecting to Bell’s LTE-M network which was announced earlier this year.
“We’ll be able to automatically act on temperature inversions by turning on fans when temperatures change, ensuring the health of our grapes and an optimal product for our customers,” said Matthew Speck, the owner and viticulturist of Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery, in the same release.
“The solution is not only economical and scalable, it gives growers a good view of the vines’ temperature needs to improve quality and drive sustainability.”
Huawei’s involvement in the project comes as a result of work done by the Government of Ontario in 2014 and 2015.
Premier Kathleen Wynne met with Huawei representatives during trips to China, and the company committed “up to $303 million for research initiatives in Ontario over five years,” according to a November 9th, 2017 Ontario media release.
“I look forward to connecting even more Ontario companies with world-leading innovators, experts and businesses, like Huawei, on my upcoming mission to China and Vietnam, and to bringing more investment and job opportunities home to Ontario,” said Wynne, in the same November release.
Bell plans on formally launching its LTE-M network — designed specifically to connect IoT devices to the internet — in 2018.
LTE-M should improve IoT efficiency, while reducing power consumption as well as improving coverage underground.
Source: Bell, Government of Ontario
