The win is Telstra’s largest IoT deal to date and the first large-scale IoT deployment utilising Telstra’s new cloud-based platform-as-a-service IoT Connection Manager (ICM), which will help Yarra Valley Water gain access to near real-time data from a range of in-field sensors.

Specifically developed for large scale projects, ICM provides simple and effective SIM and connectivity management that takes the complexity out of managing one million connections.

Yarra Valley Water managing director Pat McCafferty said, “Internet of Things devices are a game changer for the water industry. By deploying a range of different sensors into our water and sanitation networks, we can detect leaks, minimise water wastage and save our customers money.”

As part of the deal Telstra will provide the IoT connectivity and the ICM Platform to enable sensor readings to be collected automatically in near real-time.

This enables Yarra Valley Water to be far more proactive by helping prevent leaks from becoming bursts, sewer blockages from becoming spills, and notifying customers about issues on their properties so they can act quickly.

Telstra group owner of industry solutions and IoT Mark Chapman said, “Instead of getting four data points a year, our IoT Connection Manager will now allow Yarra Valley Water to get more than 17,000 data points annually for a much more accurate, near real-time, and robust understanding of its water infrastructure.

"This is a great example of how our leading IoT network and platform is helping organisations use connected technology to drive positive customer experiences and help remotely monitor its assets and complex infrastructure.”

The Yarra Valley Water solution leverages Telstra’s cellular low power wide area network (LPWAN), which offers IoT coverage of around 4M km2 for NB-IoT and over 3M km2 for LTE-M, which Telstra say makes it the largest IoT network in Australia.

These networks are built specifically for scaled IoT deployments and provide better, cost efficient coverage even in challenging locations that high bandwidth technologies may not reach, including underground where digital meters are often located.

Telstra said that more than four million things are now connected to Telstra’s IoT networks and with the pace of IoT adoption in Australia growing, the technology and its benefits for customers will be an important part of Telstra’s future.