Swedish telco Tele2 plans to rollout Internet of Things network
Swedish telecommunications firm Tele2 signed an agreement with IBM to boost the implementation of Internet of Things (IoT) projects and business models across European markets.
Under the terms of the agreement, Tele2 will provide global connectivity and related services while IBM will supply its Watson IoT platform and consulting solutions.
Internet of Things, big data analytics and cognitive capabilities will be brought together into offerings such as asset management, location based services, connected products and supply chain management.
The two firms will offer a joint IoT Starter Kit to enable customers to quickly start Internet of Things projects. The Starter Kit contains SIM cards and an integration into IBM Bluemix so that customers can quickly connect and start developing IoT solutions. IBM will be responsible for the implementation, integration, cloud-based services and roll-out of the solutions.
“IBM’s industry leading solutions combined with Tele2’s IoT competence will help clients on their IoT journey and allow them to introduce new revenue models, reduce time to market and lower operational costs,” Tele2 IoT’s Managing Director Rami Avidan said.
The Swedish telco also announced it will deploy an IoT network covering the greater Gothenburg area.
This new network will give Tele2 IoT, its customers and partners the chance to test, use and develop future business models and applications within the Internet of Things.
Tele2 has partnered with Swiss managed IoT services provider TalkPool to roll out a network based on the LoRaWAN standard.
“Our combined expertise in IoT will deliver real benefits to new and existing customers and provide a basis for the continued explosive growth in the Internet of Things,” Avidan said.
The Swedish operator said that the firm’s new IoT network will be up and running in the third quarter of this year.
In related news, Tele2 won a three-year contract to provide connectivity to 1-Fleet Alliance, a 17-strong group of telematics providers spread across Europe.
1-Fleet Alliance serves 24,000 customers and has more than 403,000 tracking units currently in operation. Under the deal, Tele2 expects to deliver more than 150,000 SIM cards to the group.
“Tele2’s flexible approach and its management platform, combined with its attractive pricing and experience in working with a number of 1-Fleet Alliance members, were amongst the key reasons for selecting Tele2,” said Tiago Borges, CEO of fleet management provider and 1-Fleet Alliance member Inosat Global.
Tele2 currently has nearly 16 million customers in 9 countries. The telco offers mobile services, fixed broadband and telephony, data network services, content services and global M2M/IoT solutions.
