The telco said the new NB-IoT network required a software update to its existing LTE base stations
Asian telco Dialog Axiata has launched a narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT) in Sri Lanka, what it claims to be the first network of its kind in South Asia.
The telco said the deployment was possible thanks to a software upgrade to the operator’s existing 4G base stations. Dialog said that the launch of the NB-IoT network will further enhance the development of IoT services offered by the telco.
In July, Dialog Axiata had launched ‘Dialog Smartlife’, a digital lifestyle application supporting IoT solutions such as connected home and connected cars.
“NB-IoT is optimized for applications and ensures all IoT devices stemming from a home to a remote environment can be connected. This enables better usage of the IoT related services Dialog has introduced, and hopes to explore in future through Dialog Smartlife,” said Pradeep De Almeida, group chief technology officer at Dialog Axiata, said.
“IoT continues to play a crucial role in making progressive and transformational change. Users are increasingly aligning to IoT enabled devices with services ranging in areas of health, home security and home automation. The network will amplify opportunity for solutions such as smart metering for utilities, smart parking systems, smart garbage collection, logistic solutions as well as other applications in agriculture and farming,” he added.
The telco had carried out a demonstration of 5G technology in August. During the demo, Dialog Axiata achieved access speeds of over 35Gbps.
The 5G trial had been carried out by Dialog Axiata in association technology partners Ericsson and Huawei at the Dialog’s headquarters in Colombo. During the demo, Dialog trialed Massive MIMO, cloud radio, as well as other solutions including smart parking, real-time 4K video streaming, industry automation and augmented reality.
