A certification scheme has been launched today to ensure devices that form part of large outdoor smart city networks, smart grids and other internet of things (IoT) applications can work together more easily.
The Field Area Network (FAN) Certification Programme will certify devices used by utility companies, cities and other service providers for large scale, outdoor networks for smart cities, smart utilities and smart grid deployments.
It was developed by members of international non-profit organisation Wi-SUN, who include designers, manufacturers, software developers and universities in Asia, Europe and the US.
The scheme, based on open standards from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), aims to allow IoT programmes to reduce the time needed to evaluate new products “as behaviour, performance and interoperability are well defined” according to Wi-SUN. The organisation also hopes that it will eliminate contractual lock-in to a single vendor.
“Open standards and interoperability are key to the development and roll out of smart cities,” Phil Beecher, president and CEO of the Wi-SUN Alliance told UKAuthority. “The Wi-SUN Alliance FAN certification programme will enable them to deploy secure, adaptable multi-service networks that will help ensure interoperability for many years to come.”
According to the organisation, gaining certification can help those implementing smart city solutions across the UK and globally to be confident that they can specify products from multiple vendors that meet application requirements now and in future.
The organisation is running a webinar on 16 October to explain the programme and help organisations to understand how to attain certification.
Wi-SUN has more than 180 members worldwide including local government organisations. It aims to drive take-up of interoperable wireless solutions using open global standards.
