Workspace’s Metal Box Factory redevelopment in London has achieved the top connectivity rating from the independent commercial connectivity accreditor, WiredScore for its investment in connectivity infrastructure and solutions.
Here, Tom Redmayne, director of business development UK at WiredScore talks to Jeremy Cowan of IoT Now about the implications for IoT deployments.
IoT Now: Can you expand on the significance of this news for the Internet of Things?
Tom Redmayne (TR): Whatever happens with the economy, there is no doubt that digital connectivity as a fundamental driver of peoples’ business is only becoming more prevalent. This has already been recognised in the public sphere, most recently with Sadiq Khan’s (London’s new Mayor. Ed) commitment to improving connectivity and the launch of the City of London’s new standardised wayleave agreement last week.
At WiredScore, we are delighted to be working with proactive landlords who are committed to future-proofing their buildings, supporting the business growth of their occupiers, and continuing to attract new companies to London. With Brexit (Britain’s exit from the EU. Ed) causing tremors in the occupier market in London, having best-in-class connectivity allows buildings like Metal Box Factory to stand out against their competition and provide the quality of digital connectivity that will allow them to remain a hugely attractive office location for businesses.
IoT Now: Does this have implications for connectivity in the Internet of Things (IoT) or Industrial IoT?
TR: As cities become smarter and begin to integrate IoT solutions more heavily into the working environment, having a strong, reliable and secure internet connection is no longer a mere luxury, but a necessity. Encouraging landlords to understand and appreciate the value of focusing on the digital infrastructure of their buildings through Wired Certification will help turn buildings into platforms that are relevant, flexible and aspirational to the next generation of occupiers.
Global cities like London that want to embrace IoT, and smart city concepts will have to fundamentally improve the way in which their urban landscape interacts with connectivity. One essential factor in achieving these goals is ensuring that landlords are providing the necessary digital infrastructure that WiredScore provides transparency on.
IoT Now: Does Workspace’s site differ from other developments?
TR: Metal Box Factory scored consistently well across the board. Many buildings have some key features I’ll come to, but very few have all those that Metal Box Factory boasts. In particular, the combination of diverse risers, multiple communication intakes and fixed wireless makes the building incredibly resilient.
And in partnership with Excell Group, Workspace has installed backbone cabling throughout the building, allowing for faster and inexpensive installation of new services for customers and ensuring that connectivity has been at the forefront of their management and improvements of the building.
IoT Now: What features does the Metal Box Factory have that enabled it to achieve the Wired Certified Platinum connectivity rating?
TR: Some of the key features at Metal Box Factory that enabled it to reach Wired Certified Platinum include multiple internet service providers using varied mediums into the building, full distribution of fibre throughout the building by Excell Group to increase ease of customer access, dedicated and secure telecommunications room, cabling to every unit which allows for quick set up for any customer entering the building. There are also multiple points of entry into the building, diverse and secure risers running the whole way up the building, fixed wireless technology on the roof, free Wi-Fi throughout the building, and a Standard Wayleave Agreement for new providers.