The City of Markham in Ontario has partnered with Bell as part of the latter’s Smart City platform, a turn-key solution to offer “interconnected Internet of Things (IoT) applications, to improve the efficiency of municipal operations and enhance City services for residents.”

Markham says it wants to build a “frictionless city” by adopting new technologies to improve the quality of life for residents, as part of the city’s Digital Markham strategy. The city will be testing “various sensor technologies” with Bell at different business areas.

“Markham will serve as a living lab and an incubator for innovation,” said Frank Scarpitti, Mayor of Markham, in an issued statement to iPhone in Canada. “This partnership with Bell speaks to Markham’s commitment to leveraging the latest digital tools and assets,” added Scarpitti.

Bell Senior Vice President Gary Semplonius said in a statement, “By leveraging the Bell Smart City platform to monitor and manage critical infrastructure and services, Markham’s program will lead to more efficient operations and improved services for everyone who lives and works here.”

The collaboration also includes Bell’s partner, IBM Canada, to implement technology to analyze data from IoT monitoring solutions across the city.







The Markham Smart City plan aims to use connected tracking for the following municipal areas:

Asset management – Remote tracking of usage and location of municipal equipment.

– Remote tracking of usage and location of municipal equipment. Water leak detection – Sensors on water mains and hydrants to provide real-time status of water system conditions.

– Sensors on water mains and hydrants to provide real-time status of water system conditions. Storm/flood water monitoring – Manhole and river sensors measure water levels to help manage flood risk and mitigate damage.

– Manhole and river sensors measure water levels to help manage flood risk and mitigate damage. Environmental monitoring – Temperature and humidity sensors from fixed locations across the city will provide weather data to guide decisions on management of city operations.

– Temperature and humidity sensors from fixed locations across the city will provide weather data to guide decisions on management of city operations. Energy management – Sensors will monitor and support analysis of energy usage in municipal buildings to optimize energy management.

“This integration between IBM’s technology and Bell’s pervasive broadband networks and IoT applications brings the best of these two industry leaders in delivering the Markham Smart City program to the City,” added Nathalie Le Prohon, IBM Canada’s telecommunications leader.

Last year, Bell partnered with Orillia and Kingston for their Smart City Program.