Page 77 - SAMENA Trends - February 2022

TECHNOLOGY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Internet of Things Times

Spain’s Telefonica has launched an a comparable cost. Utilizing a nanosatellite device lifecycle control, trouble ticketing,
autonomous drone fleet management constellation in Low Earth Orbit, Swiss- online rating, and billing, to account
solution, with capabilities to send real- based Astrocast focuses on affordable profitability.
time images and on-demand data to a connectivity, supporting applications in Nokia has signed a contract with
centralized autonomous management asset tracking, telemetry and telematics 450connect, a joint venture backed by
platform which synchronizes operations across sectors including maritime, German energy and water companies,
for security, surveillance, event verification agriculture & livestock, environment & to deploy a nationwide LTE-450 network
and critical infrastructure maintenance utilities, land, transport, freight & storage, targeting operators of critical infrastructure.
tasks. The solution – which could ‘detect mining, and oil & gas. Astrocast has also Nokia says the LTE-450 technology –
and neutralize unmanned aircraft over formed a partnership with IoT service coupled with ‘industrial-grade private
long distances’ according to the company provider UnaBiz, to develop an end-to- LTE/LTE-M solutions’ – is ideally suited
– will be presented on 1 March during the end IoT solution for asset tracking and to achieve wide-area coverage and is
Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona. monitoring, utilising UnaBiz’s UnaConnect optimized for M2M/IoT applications and
Vodafone Spain has installed a 5G IoT device management data platform critical voice communications. Initial end-
Standalone (SA) private mobile network at that currently manages around one million to-end tests will take place in the field by
the Galician Automotive Technology Centre IoT devices. Henri Bong, co-founder of mid-2022 to ensure performance for the
to carry out tests for the development and Singapore-based UnaBiz commented: upcoming rollout. Radio services will be
validation of autonomous and connected ‘The Satellite-IoT market is growing offered in the first regions of Germany in
vehicle projects. The dedicated network rapidly. UnaBiz is pleased to partner with 2023. The nationwide rollout will take place
will allow the Centre to control and Astrocast and leverage its cost-effective, by 2025. Nokia will manage the supply
optimize its demand for system resources low-power, bidirectional direct-to-satellite and performance of all LTE components,
and apply its own security policies, while services to complement existing LPWAN including maintenance services, until
enjoying the performance benefits of 5G projects that we are currently driving in the 2040.
SA. market.’ The Pakistan Telecommunication
Latvian operator LMT has piloted an iBasis announced that its owner Authority (PTA) has published its
AI-based traffic monitoring system Tofane Global has acquired Simfony, a regulatory framework for the provision
connected to its network in Riga and multinational IoT Platform-as-a-Service of IoT services. The regulations clarify
Liepaja, gathering an ‘unprecedented provider and Mobile Virtual Network Enabler the licensing requirements and general
amount of data’ on cars that run red lights (MVNE) headquartered in the Netherlands. conditions for the provision of IoT services,
at intersections via plug-and-play traffic A press release says the acquisition including the introduction of a new
light cameras to share with the authorities. complements the iBasis IoT portfolio by concession for the operation of LPWANs
The system also analyzed driver behavior adding a business management layer to its using shared frequency bands. Under the
to identify the need for measures such as global connectivity offering, thus creating a new guidelines, mobile providers and other
improved signage and speed bumps. one-stop shop for its customers who gain operators with licensed spectrum may
Astrocast has commercially launched its access to a fully-featured IoT Connectivity provide IoT services over their assigned
bidirectional satellite IoT (SatIoT) service, Management Platform for their remotely frequencies under the conditions of their
to connect IoT devices globally when programmable SIMs (eSIMs), from online existing license and without purchasing
outside of cell-based terrestrial networks at ordering, provisioning, product catalogue, an additional concession. Companies
wishing to provide long range IoT services
over LPWAN bands – defined by the PTA
as 433.05MHz-434.79MHz and 920MHz-
925MHz ranges – must secure a new
LPWAN license and comply with additional
conditions regarding interference and
installation of base stations. LPWAN
licenses are valid for five years, and cost
PKR100,000 (USD569) upfront plus an
application fee of PKR1,000 and an annual
license fee of PKR5,000 per base station.
Canada’s Rogers Business is expanding its
suite of Smart Cities and Smart Buildings
IoT solutions, working with a broad
ecosystem of partners to deliver a number
of new solutions including: Smart Water
Management (with Ayyeka); Smart Parking

77 FEBRUARY 2022