Comcast’s internet-of-things network is coming to DC

Comcast is rolling out a new service that’s designed to help lower the cost of running internet-of-things applications in D.C. this summer.

According to our sister site Technical.ly Philly, the service known as machineQ is rolling out to a dozen new U.S. cities.

The service utilizes a lower-power, longer-range wireless network — specifically, the LoRaWan protocol. The network can link up sensors and other devices, in turn allowing them to share data with applications or the cloud. Since sensors don’t require the more expensive connectivity, Comcast tells TP that the service can make IoT more commercially viable.

Comcast is aiming for 50 percent coverage in D.C. The aim is to provide new uses for IoT. Last month, Technical.ly partnered with Comcast to host a machineQ Smart City Hackathon that yielded several new ideas.

Given D.C.’s already-underway moves to introduce more smart city technology and create infrastructure, we’ll be watching to see how the new service has an impact.