Vodafone announced plans to deploy new infrastructure in the U.K., Romania and Hungary
Vodafone has confirmed plans to double the number of European sites in its narrowband Internet of Things network footprint by the end of 2019.
The U.K.-based telecom group said it has seen a growing demand from the enterprise segment for its NB-IoT offering. Vodafone said its NB-IoT network will be available in 10 European countries, including planned launches in the U.K., Romania and Hungary.
Outside of Europe, Vodafone also plans to expand its existing NB-IoT networks in other markets, including South Africa and Turkey.
Vodafone has already launched NB-IoT networks in the Czech Republic; Germany; Greece; Ireland; Italy; Australia; Netherlands; South Africa; Spain and Turkey.
“NB-IoT gives businesses access to 5G capabilities a year before we expect large-scale consumer availability and I believe this will be a catalyst in the widespread use of IoT by enterprises. Our NB-IoT network reinforces our position as the premier telecoms company for IoT and means that our customers can connect the next generation of devices to the world’s largest and most secure international network,” said Vodafone IoT Director Stefano Gastaut.
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Earlier this year, Vodafone signed an IoT agreement with China Mobile. Under the deal, Vodafone customers will be given access to China Mobile IoT SIMS for deployments in China, and China Mobile customers wanting to offer IoT-enabled products outside of China will be able to use Vodafone’s Global IoT SIM and management platform.
Under the terms of the deal, China Mobile said it will discuss the possibility for IoT sales opportunities with Vodafone for companies wanting to expand outside of China.
Vodafone will manage all elements of the operational model for its customers including on-boarding, SIM and logistics as well as billing and support. The company will effectively act as a single point of contact for its enterprise IoT customers wanting to move into China.
Vodafone said it currently has 74 million connections and an international network and services platform supporting a wide range of business critical applications. Vodafone IoT technologies are embedded within connected vehicles built by Audi, BMW, Daimler Benz, Ford, General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover, Porsche, SEAT, VW and Yamaha motorbikes.
Vodafone’s IoT network and services also support smart meter capabilities for energy companies including Centrica, EDF and nPower and provide connectivity for consumer electronics products such as the Amazon Kindle and devices manufactured by Bosch, Panasonic, Philips Lighting and TomTom, the U.K.-based telco said.