Vodafone confirmed it will carry out proof-of-concept trials of smart lighting and smart parking through NB-IoT
The Irish subsidiary of U.K. telecommunications operator Vodafone has launched a nationwide NB-IoT network, local press reported. Vodafone Ireland has upgraded existing 4G base stations, in cooperation with Ericsson, to provide nationwide narrowband coverage. The network will also be able to operate alongside existing 2G, 3G and 4G networks.
Vodafone Ireland confirmed it was in discussions with potential customers serving both residential and industrial sectors. The European telco is also undertaking proof-of-concept trials in areas including smart lighting, smart parking and smart bins.
“The evolution of the internet of things means that there is an urgent need for a low-power way to connect thousands of devices. NB-IoT fits the bill perfectly,” Anne O’Leary, CEO at Vodafone Ireland, said.
“Our latest innovation will provide a head start to Irish businesses and consumers in their race to become truly smart and efficient, radically saving time and money,” the executive said.
“The…network is a standards-based technology and is deployed in the licensed spectrum which is important from a security perspective,” she added.
In June, Vodafone Netherlands announced the launch of its NB-IoT network in 20 locations across the country.
The telco’s NB-IoT network is already operational in nine cities across the Netherlands. The new technology had already been introduced at VodafoneZiggo offices in Maastricht, Utrecht and Amsterdam. The network is also active in several locations in the cities of Rotterdam, Eindhoven, Hilversum, Den Bosch, Groningen, Delft and Schiphol.
Also, the Spanish unit of U.K. telecommunications group Vodafone has recently expanded the coverage of its NB-IoT network in Spain. Vodafone Spain said it currently operates 1,000 base stations in the country, including recent launches in the cities of Zaragoza and Santander.
The telco initially launched its NB-IoT network in Madrid and Valencia at the start of the year after upgrading existing 4G base stations. Vodafone Spain also offers NB-IoT connectivity in Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao and Malaga.
