MTS is currently in process to deploy a nationwide NB-IoT network across Russia
Russian telecom operator Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) has launched a smart city pilot project based on an narrowband internet of things network for the housing and utilities sector in Arsk, in the Republic of Tatarstan.
Under this project, MTS is currently testing services including video surveillance; remote collection of electricity and water consumption data; environmental monitoring including temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide and noise; smart parking through video monitoring of space availability; and video monitoring of smart trash bins.
The smart city pilot project was launched as part of an April 2018 agreement between MTS and the Arsky municipal district.
The Russian carrier also said that the smart city solutions had been tested by MTS and Ericsson at a joint R&D facility.
The rollout and testing of the new connectivity services in Tatarstan is part of the telco’s nationwide NB-IoT deployment. By the end of 2018, MTS expects to provide NB-IoT coverage and integrated services for smart devices in all large cities across Russia.
MTS has also announced that it is launching a specific NB-IoT-based service tariff for business customers this month, covering 24 cities where its NB-IoT networks have been already deployed. The cost of an annual package starts from RUB150 ($2.24).
In related news, rival operator Beeline Russia has signed a five-year agreement with the Moscow city authorities under which the telco will deploy a pilot 5G network in the capital next year alongside NB-IoT, smart city and virtual/augmented reality solutions.
As part of the project, overseen by the Moscow Department of Information Technology (DIT), Beeline expects to launch a NB-IoT network and pilot IoT solutions.
Also, MTS’ wholly owned subsidiary Vodafone Ukraine, has announced plans to deploy a NB-IoT network in Ukraine. To achieve this, the company has signed an agreement to use the global IoT platform of Vodafone Group, with which it has an existing strategic branding agreement. The Ukrainian operator will deploy its NB-IoT network using Vodafone’s platform.
