the Internet of Things (IoT) has economic implications allowing smaller businesses and individuals to participate in the economy. IoT impacts on many other sectors, providing real time data for business and industries which translates into greater efficiency through addressing issues timeously which enables more cost-effective solutions. Together with the added advantage of automating processes the IoT facilitates greater efficiency all round which in turn impacts on the economy as a whole.
In order to maximise the IoT as a leveraging mechanism to row the country’s economy, the Brazilian government launched a national IoT strategy in 2017.
Brazil’s IoT strategy, titled “Internet of Things: and action plan for Brazil,” aims to implement new policies from 2018 – 2022, focussing on 4 key verticals which focus on improving quality of life and sustainable development. The plan outlines initiatives across three intervals of time: short (1 year), medium and long term (up to 5 years).
While the plan covers all IoT sectors, priority areas have been identified according to demand and the development capacity of the sector. These areas are:
- Smart cities: IoT projects which focus on mobility, public safety and utilities
- Healthcare: projects which are cost effective and increase efficiency in hospitals, prevention of epidemics, addressing of chronic illnesses
- Agribusinesses: Solutions focussing on maximising usage of natural resources, inputs and machinery, and sanitary safety
- Manufacturing: The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) will implement projects for both heavy industry and manufacturing. Projects aim to focus on increasing efficiency of processes by developing new equipment to support this. Additionally, bringing IoT into new business models which maximise efficiency of supply chains by integrating the various stages from goods to components, services and inputs.
The horizontals supporting these key verticals will create the necessary infrastructure for Brazil’s IoT while simultaneously impacting on the development of the country. Covering a host of sectors, horizontals include the following initiatives:
- Innovation and internationalisation: This set of initiatives aims to support innovation and cooperation through funding and promotion of success cases, both locally in Brazil and in the international arena
- Human capital: focus on upskilling the workforce to foster specialisation in key areas. This includes IoT training of government employees and strengthening local R&D to improve existing as well as create new products and procedures.
- Regulatory safety and privacy: this horizontal is narrowed to focus on telecommunication regulations in the IoT context, providing parameters personal data protection regulation, privacy and security.
- Infrastructure for connectivity and interoperability: increasing access to communication networks in order to effectively implement the IoT. To facilitate interconnectedness and functionality through standardisation and interoperability of the devices and IoT systems.
Brazil’s implementation of the IoT is aimed at both public and private services, increasing human capital, maximising efficiency of services and fostering a spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation. By maximising the benefits and impact associated with adopting the IoT, Brazil aims to use the IoT action plan to establish a competitive economy which strengthens national productivity and increases living standards while positioning the country at the forefront of IoT in the coming years.
References
- https://techinbrazil.com/overview-of-the-brazil-s-national-iot-plan
- https://www.zdnet.com/article/brazilian-government-defines-iot-priorities/
- https://www.zdnet.com/article/brazilian-government-launches-national-iot-strategy/
- http://www.urban-hub.com/ideas/brazil-embraces-the-digital-age-with-an-ambitious-internet-of-things-strategy/
