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IoT devices that cannot connect directly to the Private Communications Network for reasons of
mobility, security or coverage generally use an MTC virtual private network service contracted from
the operator. This MTC service uses 2/3/4/5G mobile networks to connect with the device and
routes traffic to the municipal private network via a fixed network link based on Metro Ethernet or
GPON standards.
These devices can be simple elements such as containerized fill sensors or single-layer capture
gateways in an IoT architecture. An example of the latter scenario is lighting management, where
different streetlight controllers are connected to each other by ZigBee or PLC type technologies
and with a segment controller that, in turn, establishes a connection with the municipal corporate
network through the MTC VPN service.
5.5.3 Access to services and devices via the Internet
The flexibility and coverage of the Internet is an asset of great value to the municipal corporation
in its relationship with citizens, in the remote access of members of the corporation, and in the
connection to external stakeholders. These accesses allow the establishment of Internet connections
with guaranteed data flow to offer an adequate user experience, and for reasons of quality and
availability, they are usually redundant. The connection of the town hall with the network of the
Internet provider is usually made using the Metro Ethernet standard.
IoT devices that do not connect directly to the Municipal Private Network and that have few
requirements for quality, security, and availability route their traffic through existing corporate
Internet access. Examples of this scenario are the terminals of the collaborating companies of
parking management or cleaning, urban noise meters or citizens' devices (smartphones). In these
cases, the low variability of the information, and the low availability requirements, advise low-cost
access.
Remote access to the municipal corporate network through the Internet is the mechanism preferred
by UC&C systems for access by members of the corporation outside the office, in teleworking and
for interconnection with other external agents.
5.6 Use case. UCC & IoT initiatives in the Valencia City Council
The generic municipal architecture that was shown in includes users and devices directly connected
to the City Corporate Network, users and devices connected through MTC VPN-IP mobile services,
users and devices connected through VPN-IP services, and users and devices connected through
the Internet.
The design and implementation of a project that affects the municipal network must be planned
carefully to evaluate the impact over other communications, and to identify possible network needs
before their implementation in order to guarantee the overall quality of service. Simulation tools
contribute with the necessary flexibility, and they can help to solve the complexity of designing a
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