The project used Nokia’s radio access network and elements from its cloud packet core solution. The system will be used by device manufacturers and applications developers in trials of innovative products and solutions to expand the IoT ecosystem, said the three companies.
Luke Ibbetson, group head of research and development and technology strategy for Vodafone, said: “NB-IoT will be commercially available from early 2017 and, because it has strong support from across the telecoms industry, will be the technology used to connect millions more things to the internet.”
The project was demonstrated at Vodafone’s Open Labs at Düsseldorf. “We are very pleased to make the Vodafone Open Labs available to companies that want to exchange ideas and to develop and test connected products and services powered by NB-IoT,” said Ibbetson, which chairs the GSMA’s NB-IoT Forum.
Nokia and Telit used the technology to demonstrate how NB-IoT will meet the connectivity needs of devices. The companies used an Intel chipset integrated in a NB-IoT module, which was embedded in a Shitek technology ultrasonic gas meter.
The system connected with a meter to transmit data on gas flow over a 4G Vodafone test network, demonstrating how NB-IoT technology can be used to manage an integrated network comprised of components from multiple vendors.
Roberto Loiola, global customer business team head at Nokia, said: “The low power attributes and reach of NB-IoT make it an ideal technology to connect the internet of things.”
Telit’s product marketing manager, Marco Argenton, said: “With the collaboration in this trial, we demonstrated real and tangible benefits of automation in the residential energy market, the nature of which can be leveraged in many other industries and verticals.”
Earlier in December, Vodafone announced it was working with rival supplier Huawei on NB-IoT in the smart city and utilities markets. The two completed a live trial of IoT in Madrid in September.
