SmartRural.coop

Rural locations should not miss out on the value and benefits associated with digital technology because they are not within the boundaries of “smart cities”. SmartRural will deliver Proof of Concept at scale, for a community deployable means of extending to rural residents and businesses, the benefits of digital technology currently enjoyed in “smart cities”; including: • Increased social inclusion opportunities for those who otherwise feel isolated by their rural location, age, mobility, health or connectivity; • Expanded and improved ways of delivering services through digital monitoring and interventions – e.g. enabling rural use of the GP video consultation initiative; • Ability to locate new businesses in rural locations and increase the efficiency of existing ones; • A visible and relevant shop window for technology in our society, that will inspire young and old alike to engage and learn about its potential without the need to travel; • Digital inclusion for community members outside the reach of fibre, with broadband speeds of at least 10MB/s; enhance mobile network coverage; and an area-wide LPWAN (Low Power WAN – explained in the attachments); • A community deployable infrastructure model with commercial sustainability that can be rolled out across Scotland and beyond; • A living laboratory for new data gathering technologies in support of environmental & flood management, agriculture and land management; • Opportunities to curtail the out-migration of young people through the means to enable new learning opportunities, new jobs and improved digital involvement.