UK cities are getting smarter with cellular IoT

Cellular IoT delivers the foundation for smart city initiatives

In the UK, the smart city market is booming, with cities like London, Manchester, Bristol, and Glasgow leading the smart city adoption. In 2024, the market reached USD 46.94 Billion and analysts predict the market to reach USD 164.87 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 15.00% during 2025-2033.

Manchester's smart city initiative focuses on leveraging digital innovation to drive economic growth, improve public services, and make Manchester an inclusive, smart, and sustainable city. The program's success is attributed to data-driven insights, integrated transport systems, and collaborative governance. The strategy prioritizes connectivity, skills development, digital inclusion, and collaboration between stakeholders to ensure that technology benefits all residents and businesses.

• The Bee Network. Named after Manchester's iconic worker bee symbol, this integrated system connects buses, trams, and bike rentals to provide seamless travel across the city. A tap-and-go contactless payment system delivers convenience, reaching 50 million transactions since its tram launch in 2019. It was expanded to buses in 2025. Public transport initiatives aim to support Greater Manchester's climate goals, with all buses becoming electric by 2030.
• AI-driven traffic management. AI and data are used to manage traffic corridors, monitor congestion, and adjust traffic lights for smoother vehicle flow. The system is part of a trial with future plans to scale across Manchester, aligning real-time sensors with AI-powered learning and historical data. A Highways Digital Twin is being piloted to simulate and predict traffic conditions.
• Integrated decision-making. Collaboration with the police, local authorities, and Highways Authority allows for city-wide coordination during major events such as football matches or concerts. Traffic adjustments, event-specific bus services, and real-time route diversions are handled collectively, maximizing efficiency and public safety.
• Real-time monitoring and control. Controllers leverage thousands of CCTV feeds to tackle problems like congestion, using both manual and AI-assisted actions to optimize traffic flow. Temporary traffic lights and roadwork signals are part of ongoing efforts to integrate all networks into a unified system.

Let’s take a look at how cellular IoT is helping to deliver more amazing outcomes across the UK.

Smart transportation

Cellular technology is transforming transportation through advanced connectivity and real-time data exchange. It enables smart ticketing systems for public transport, offering real-time validation, mobile payments, and dynamic fare adjustments. It also provides accurate passenger information via digital displays and mobile apps. In logistics, cellular connectivity allows real-time tracking of goods, optimizing operations.

Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology to lower traffic congestion

London is the 5th most congested city in the world, only exceeded by Istanbul, New York City, Chicago, and Mexico City. In 2024, the average driver in the UK lost 62 hours due to traffic congestion, up 1 hour compared to 2023. In the UK overall, the cost to the country was £7.7 billion, £200 million increase over the prior year.

Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology, powered by Cellular IoT for its reliability and geographic reach, is being integrated into smart city projects to optimize traffic flow, reduce congestion, and improve intersection efficiency. IoT connectivity also plays a leading role in providing real-time data to make travel more efficient and safer. IoT-enabled traffic management systems collect real-time traffic data from cameras, sensors, and GPS devices in vehicles to optimize traffic lights, reduce congestion, and improve traffic flow.

In the UK, V2X technology is being trialed in several cities. For example, the UK Autodrive project in Milton Keynes and Coventry demonstrated how connected and autonomous vehicles can improve road safety and traffic flow. The project utilized Cellular IoT for reliable communication between vehicles and infrastructure.

Smart buildings

Smart buildings use IoT connectivity to create more efficient, comfortable, and sustainable environments. Automated systems adjust temperature and lighting levels based on real-time data from connected sensors, improving comfort and energy efficiency. Smart surveillance cameras, motion detectors, and access control systems (e.g., smart locks) enhance security by monitoring and controlling who enters and exits the building. Occupancy sensors track how spaces are used, helping to optimize room layouts, prevent overcrowding, and improve building operations.

IoT-enabled sustainability in action at the The Crystal in London

The UK Green Building Council estimates that buildings are responsible for around 25% of the country's carbon footprint. Cellular IoT-enabled smart building systems are playing a crucial role in reducing this impact. The Crystal, located in London’s Royal Docks, is an iconic sustainable building that demonstrates advanced IoT-enabled systems to optimize energy efficiency, water management, and smart urban practices. Originally developed by Siemens in 2012 and later repurposed as London’s City Hall in 2022, this structure remains a global benchmark for connected building systems supported by IoT.

• Intelligent Building Management Systems (BMS). IoT-based BMS integrates sensors for real-time monitoring and control of energy usage, lighting, and ventilation. These systems ensure maximum comfort with minimum energy consumption. Advanced fire sensors, occupancy detectors, and comfort trackers enhance operational efficiency and safety. The system enables managers to access and operate functions remotely from multiple locations, making the building adaptable for smart urban use.
• Energy efficiency via IoT. The Crystal utilizes IoT-powered solar panels, ground-source heat pumps, and an energy management mechanism to optimize its energy footprint. Energy monitoring through IoT systems ensures efficient distribution and proactive management, reducing carbon emissions by 50% compared to similar buildings.
• Water management with IoT sensors. The building incorporates IoT-enabled water systems, including rainwater harvesting and blackwater recycling. Sensors monitor water usage, identify inefficiencies, and ensure optimal management of resources, contributing to a sustainable water cycle.
• Adaptive IoT-driven systems. IoT connectivity has future-proofed the building’s infrastructure, allowing seamless integration of evolving technologies like smart grids and renewable energy systems. The flexibility of its design enables IoT-connected photovoltaic systems to support London’s power grid in the future.

Smart energy

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), Distribution Management Systems (DMS), and Substation Automation are critical technologies for modern energy grids. AMI, with smart meters, communication networks, and data management, improves billing accuracy, outage management, and supports demand response and distributed energy resources. DMS, sophisticated software, offers real-time control and optimization of distribution networks, enhancing grid reliability, efficiency, and safety through functions like fault location, voltage optimization, and load balancing. Substation automation, utilizing intelligent electronic devices and communication networks, boosts efficiency, reliability, and security with improved protection, remote control, and data analysis. These interdependent systems form the backbone of a smart grid, enabling utilities to deliver more reliable, efficient, and sustainable services globally, including managing the increasing demands of EV charging.

Cellular IoT boosts EV charging efficiency

In the UK, the transition to electric vehicles is accelerating rapidly. The government has set a target to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, making EV charging infrastructure a critical priority. According to Zap-Map, at the end of July 2025, there were 84,218 EV charging points across the UK, across 41,979 charging locations, 112,415 EVSE and 118,742 connectors. In July alone,1,849 net new charging devices were added to the Zapmap database.

With the rise in EV ownership comes the expectation for better driver services, like reliable EV charging. In June of 2025, the UK confirmed that the government and industry are planning to install over 100,000 new chargepoints funded by the £381 million Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund.

Cellular IoT plays a crucial role in the UK's EV charging ecosystem acceleration.

• The technology enables Charge Point Operators to deliver exceptional connectivity enabling users to monitor availability, schedule charging times, and make payments via mobile apps.
• Data from EV charging stations is also critical for energy management and load balancing.

As autonomous vehicles become more prevalent, charging infrastructure may evolve to accommodate self-driving EVs with automated charging systems. Cellular IoT connectivity is key to delivering the reliability and performance needed for autonomous driving.

Smart citizen services

Cellular IoT is an essential technology for UK smart cities, helping accelerate the National Data Strategy. Cellular IoT helps build a more connected and sustainable urban future by delivering valuable data for smart decisions. It's changing education by connecting learning and making the most of resources, transforming healthcare with remote monitoring and efficient systems, and improving smart street lighting with dynamic adjustments and sensors for checking the environment and keeping people safe. Cellular IoT is also key to helping public safety and emergency services with connected surveillance and real-time communication for first responders. Let’s take a deeper look at how the City of Edinburgh is putting IoT to use.

Cellular IoT enhances emergency services

IoT is helping to increase safety for teams in high-risk environments, like firefighters and other first responders, by connecting devices that deliver real-time data and seamless communication. IoT-enabled gear can monitor their vital signs and track their location. Gas and air quality sensors monitor environmental conditions before and during crises. Drones powered with cellular IoT can help provide surveillance for faster responses.

The City of Edinburgh is advancing its goal of becoming a smart city with the launch of a cutting-edge Smart City Operations Centre. This facility will serve as an integrated hub to improve public services and create a more connected and efficient urban environment by leveraging real-time data and smart technology.

• Centralized monitoring and management. The operations centre consolidates data from various sensors, cameras, and IoT devices spread across Edinburgh to monitor traffic, public safety, and council services in real time.
• IoT-driven solutions. The centre incorporates Internet of Things (IoT) technology to deliver more responsive and proactive services. For instance, connected sensors detect traffic patterns, monitor pollution levels, and improve waste management efficiency.
• Traffic and public safety. The facility will help coordinate traffic flows, manage roadworks, and enhance public safety through improved CCTV monitoring, emergency response coordination, and better management of citywide events.
• Sustainability and efficiency. Sustainability is also a focus, with IoT systems being used to optimize resources, reduce energy waste, and support climate change targets.

Unlock new opportunities for Smart Cities with cellular IoT

The widespread adoption of cellular IoT is clearly a powerful catalyst for the UK’s smart city evolution, transforming urban infrastructure and delivering significant benefits to citizens. From Manchester's integrated Bee Network and AI-driven traffic management to London's sustainable Crystal building and Edinburgh's Smart City Operations Centre, cellular IoT provides the backbone for innovative solutions across transportation, energy, and citizen services. These initiatives not only enhance operational efficiency and resource management but also contribute to a higher quality of life, demonstrating the profound impact of connected technologies in shaping the future of British urban living.

As the UK continues its journey towards a more connected and sustainable future, the role of cellular IoT will only become more critical. With ambitious government targets for EV charging infrastructure and a continued emphasis on data-driven public services, cellular IoT is poised to drive further innovation and accelerate the digital transformation of UK cities. By embracing these advancements, cities can unlock new opportunities for economic growth, environmental stewardship, and the creation of truly intelligent, resilient, and inclusive urban environments.