DT said it’s currently carrying out NB-IoT tests of smart metering, smart tracking and smart parking solutions in Germany.
Deutsche Telekom announced plans to commercially launch narrowband internet of things technology in the second quarter of this year. The networks are set to use spectrum in the 800 MHz and 900 MHz bands.
Current NB-IoT deployments in Austria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia are set for expansion this year, with a new deployment in the Netherlands set to launch by year-end. The carrier is also looking to bolster the NB-IoT ecosystem through its Prototyping Hub program, which is designed to bring existing and potential customers together with specialized IoT developers.
The German telecom operator in October presented what it claimed to be the world’s first live NB-IoT end-to-end system and smart parking application in Bonn, Germany. DT is also working with energy service provider Ista to power more than 15 million connected devices across Europe for measuring intelligent smoke alarms, and heat and water consumption.
“We see a clear trend towards smart building among our customers in the housing sector,” said Ista COO Jochen Schein. “Demand from owners and landlords for networked digital devices is growing steadily.”
Vodafone partners with U.K. telcos to launch NB-IoT luggage tracking solution
Vodafone has partnered with Samsonite to trial a luggage tracking solution based on NB-IoT technology.
The luggage manufacturer’s Track&Go solution is a device that can be put into a bag and is then tracked by its owner. Vodafone has launched commercial solutions in parts of Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain.
