Saudi Arabia’s Aramco, one of the world's largest integrated energy and chemicals companies, and OQ Technology, described as the world’s first satellite 5G IoT operator that provides global cellular Internet of Things (IoT) and machine to machine (M2M) communication solutions through satellites, have announced the signing of a new MoU.
The MoU, the partners say, further strengthens their existing collaboration and focuses on automation and satellite IoT connectivity for Aramco's remote site infrastructures. Specifically, OQ Technology aims to expand satellite IoT services and solutions for connecting Aramco’s Intelligent Integrated Node (IIN) technology.
IIN is an innovative automation infrastructure technology invented by Aramco and developed by MOXA Inc, a provider of industrial networking, computing, and automation solutions. It combines instrumentation control, monitoring, and edge computing capabilities into a single fault-tolerant device.
While IIN technology is focused on the energy companies, it is seen as applicable to other sectors, such as smart cities, power and utilities, agriculture and transportation.
The significance of this collaboration lies in the synergy between Aramco's automation edge technology and OQ's low Earth orbit (LEO) 5G NB-IoT infrastructure. It will, the partners say, accelerate the development of IoT applications, personal products, safety, security & surveillance, fire protection, automotive, healthcare and other industries in Saudi Arabia and globally.
There’s also a sustainability angle. Omar Qaise, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at OQ, says: “Integrating 5G IoT and IIN technologies will increase operational efficiencies downstream, reduce raw material consumption, and minimize personnel travel to remote sites, contributing to a more efficient green economy.”