SMART CITY
Smart signage at scale: X-TELIA deploys LoRaWAN™ parking management with ThingsBoard
X-TELIA is a global leader in the design and manufacturing of LoRaWAN® IoT solutions. With a mission to simplify IoT deployments, X-TELIA provides end-to-end wireless solutions that include high-performance gateways, sensors, and network infrastructure. Their products are known for their carrier-grade reliability, scalability, and efficiency, supporting diverse use cases from smart cities to industrial IoT.
Their portfolio includes smart parking, street lighting, air quality monitoring, asset tracking, and other mission-critical applications. Through a unique combination of infrastructure ownership, integration capabilities, and vertical-specific expertise, X-TELIA plays a pivotal role in accelerating the adoption of IoT across Canada.
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What problem did they face?
X-TELIA secured a contract to deploy a city-wide system of solar-powered, wireless "No Parking" signs to manage on-street parking during snow removal operations. The entire solution—from network communication to control dashboards—had to be developed, tested, and deployed under a tight timeline, with financial penalties for late delivery.
Challenges
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Extremely short delivery window with contractual penalties for delays
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Need for reliable integration between X-TELIA's LoRaWAN™ network and a robust IoT platform
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Real-time control and monitoring of dynamic "No Parking" signage
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Rapid development of a user-friendly dashboard interface
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Smooth deployment and testing of the production-ready platform
Key results
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Developed a robust MQTT-based protocol between X-TELIA's network and ThingsBoard
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Designed and implemented a custom dashboard widget for controlling signage
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Successfully deployed a ThingsBoard PE instance tailored for the use case
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Delivered the full solution on time, avoiding any contractual penalties
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Gained confidence in the platform and team, paving the way for future projects
How ThingsBoard powers X-TELIA?
Seamless MQTT integration
ThingsBoard engineers collaborated directly with X-TELIA's developers to build a resilient MQTT-based communication protocol. This enabled fast, real-time data exchange between the LoRaWAN™ infrastructure and the IoT platform.
Custom widget development
The ThingsBoard team created a purpose-built dashboard widget for intuitive signage control. This allowed operators to activate or deactivate "No Parking" signs across the city with a single click and full visibility.
Turnkey PE instance deployment
ThingsBoard Professional Edition was deployed under tight deadlines with production-grade reliability. Its scalable architecture allowed rapid deployment without compromising stability or performance.
Expert technical support
Throughout the project, the ThingsBoard team provided high-touch technical assistance. Their dedication and close cooperation were key to the successful and timely launch of the solution.
How ThingsBoard helps smart city solutions improve operations with IoT?
Smart street lighting
Street lighting is one of the most energy-consuming services in a city. Smart lighting systems connected via ThingsBoard can reduce energy consumption, maintenance costs, and carbon emissions while improving public safety.
How It Works:
- IoT-enabled streetlights report status, brightness, energy usage, and faults.
- Light levels are automatically adjusted based on ambient light, schedules, or motion detection.
- Faulty units trigger automatic alerts to maintenance crews.
Smart waste management
Efficient waste collection is critical to sanitation, fuel savings, and environmental health. ThingsBoard helps cities deploy smart bins that signal when they're full and optimize collection routes.
How It Works:
- Ultrasonic or weight sensors detect bin fill levels.
- ThingsBoard triggers alerts when bins reach thresholds.
- Integrates with route optimization software to improve collection efficiency.
Traffic & Parking Management
Urban mobility depends on efficient traffic and parking systems. ThingsBoard supports real-time tracking of vehicle movement, traffic density, and parking space availability.
How It Works:
- Connect road sensors, ANPR cameras, and parking spot detectors.
- Monitor live traffic flow, parking occupancy, and violations.
- Use real-time data to optimize signals, guide drivers, and reduce congestion.
Environmental & air quality monitoring
To create healthier urban spaces, cities must monitor air quality, noise, and weather conditions. ThingsBoard provides real-time visibility and long-term trend analysis for environmental health.
How It Works:
- IoT stations monitor CO₂, PM2.5, NO₂, temperature, humidity, and noise.
- Dashboards display live readings and issue alerts for dangerous thresholds.
- City planners use historical data for regulatory compliance and policy planning.
Smart water & utility management
Water is a critical resource. ThingsBoard supports remote monitoring of water infrastructure, helping cities reduce leakage, improve billing accuracy, and conserve resources.
How It Works:
- IoT meters track flow rate, pressure, consumption, and quality.
- Rule Engine detects anomalies such as pipe bursts, backflow, or tampering.
- SCADA dashboards allow operators to control pumps and valves remotely.
Public safety & emergency response
Cities need real-time situational awareness for emergencies, disasters, and security threats. ThingsBoard enables centralized alerting and device coordination for public safety operations.
How It Works:
- Connect fire sensors, panic buttons, CCTV, public alarms.
- Real-time alerts are sent to emergency teams.
- Visual dashboards support faster decision-making during incidents.
Citizen & building engagement
Cities can offer interactive dashboards and services to residents, businesses, and building operators—built on the same ThingsBoard backend.
How It Works:
- Each building or stakeholder can access custom dashboards with relevant data.
- Citizens get real-time updates on air quality, energy use, or transit delays.
- Multi-tenant support keeps data isolated and secure.
Real stories, real impact — share your experience with ThingsBoard!
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