Smart technology has the potential to transform rural Wales – providing communities are given access to high speed broadband and mobile networks, a new report claims.

“Internet of things” (IoT) equipment and devices can drive the profitability of rural tourism and improve the efficiency of Welsh farming, according to the BT-commissioned study.

However the “Smart Rural” report says this will only happen with more infrastructure investment in rural areas.

Its 10 recommendations include a call to support “early adopters” of the new technology, such as farmers using sensors to remotely manage their stock.

At Fferm Glynllifon, Caernarfon, LoRaWAN wireless technology is being used to monitor the temperature of fridges where vaccines are stored, and to monitor the use of gates and cattle grids.

“A surprising benefit is that technology has made work on the farm more interesting,” said Glynllifon farm manager Rhodri Owen.

“We are now able to measure and monitor things that we never dreamt of being able to commercially 10 years ago.”

Similar benefits are also possible in the tourism and hospitality sectors, said the report.

Smartphones, mapping services and augmented reality apps have already begun transforming the way visitors engage with visitor destinations.

In Cardigan, for example, a free wi-fi scheme provides data on visitor footfall, where visitors are from and how long they stay.

The system is even being used to determine if measures like free parking can boost tourist numbers.

Another benefit of rural connectivity is the ability of staff to work remotely.

Such an approach has been adopted by Snowdonia holiday cottage firm Dioni, which uses a cloud-based booking system and web design software.

The company now has plans to develop an app that will enable tourists to plot a route through Wales that is tailored to their preferences.

By boosting rural economies, smart technology could encourage young people to stay in rural Wales, believes Nick Speed, BT Group’s director in Wales.

However he accepted there were obstacles. “What we heard from many in rural sectors is that ”it’s not relevant to my business” or “I just don’t have the time”, he said.

“One of the report’s clear recommendations is to work together and help champion those trailblazers already doing amazing things.”

In farming, IoT sensors are being trialled for crop growth and even sheep rustling.

A forecast paper, drawn up by IBERS last year for Farming Connect, envisages a future in which farmers use mobile command centres to oversee robots, power plants and closed-loop recycling systems.

Rhodri Owen said the coming data revolution will allow farmers to “make better decisions quicker”.

“I really hope to see more farmers getting involved in developing high-value applications in the future, as the agri-tech scene is booming in many parts of the world at the moment,” he added.