Oslo will see the first pilot of the internet of things network
Norwegian telecommunications operator Telenor confirmed plans to develop and launch a dedicated, next-generation internet of things (IoT) network in several Norwegian cities.
The telco said that Norwegian startups and students will get cost-free access to the IoT network in order to develop and test their products and services. The initial pilot of the IoT network will be located in Oslo, in collaboration with StartupLab.
“Internet of things is changing everything. With the availability of tiny, affordable sensors, we observe how today´s startups assume all products will be connected to the internet at some point. This is why providing them with cost-free access to a next-generation IoT network from Telenor is of critical importance,” StarupLab’s partner Per Einar Dybvik said. “StartupLab hosts more than 100 startups every year and the availability of the Telenor network has been warmly received in our community.”
The Nordic operator will also establish a lab focused on artificial intelligence and big data in collaboration with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and research institute SINTEF. The lab will conduct research and run innovation programs within artificial intelligence and big data.
“We need to build critical competencies within artificial intelligence and we want to give Norwegian startups the resources they need to succeed. This is imperative for our ability to seize digital opportunities and contribute to creating new jobs,” Telenor’s President and CEO Sigve Brekke, said.
Telenor ended the second quarter of 2016 with 211 million subscribers in the 12 European and Asian markets in which it operates. During the second quarter of the year, the operator added a total of 3.4 million subscribers.
Vodafone UK extends internet of things agreements with CSL
In other EMEA news, telecoms operator Vodafone UK has extended a managed connectivity agreement with Internet of Things (IoT) service provider CSL for a 10-year period.
Under the terms of the agreement, Vodafone will provide connectivity for CSL’s 400,000 connected IoT devices.
