Optus & JCU: Next Generation IoT

The JCU Ideas Lab is the hub for the JCU and Optus partnership. The seven-year alliance, valued at approximately $7.7 million, unites Optus’ next-generation narrow-band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) network and industry prowess with JCU’s expertise in IoT engineering and related disciplines. Activities and projects will be focused on advancing digital technology across a range of industries and training a workforce for a diversified and digitised northern Australian economy. Of note is their application to sectors such as agriculture, remote health, environmental management and protection, aquaculture and mining.

The partnership has seen Optus accelerate the deployment of its NB-IoT network in Cairns and Townsville, including within the JCU Ideas Lab.

“We’re excited to team up with JCU to bring IoT into students’ daily lives and develop Australia’s leadership in smart devices and smart precincts. Optus’ and JCU’s investment will facilitate an IoT solutions group that brings together Optus’ NB-IoT network and JCU’s IoT Research Centre for academic research which delivers new business innovations that create real-world, positive outcomes.”

- Deon Liebenberg, VP Optus Business

“The rapid evolution and adoption of digital technology across a range of industrial and economic sectors offers great opportunity (and some risk) for our region. To ensure that northern Australia maximises the opportunity, Optus and JCU have forged a partnership concerned with digital innovation and training for northern Australian business and community. Together we aim to do nothing less than co-create digital innovation in a range business domains and work together to train a new generation of graduates fit for a digital economy.”

- Marcus Lane, Deputy Vice Chancellor