Finland’s Sonera has become the latest operator to trial NB-IoT technology on its network in a demonstration of how it can enable the tracking of mobile assets.
The operator worked with Nokia on the project, which saw sensors tracking temperature, humidity and air pressure sent data over Sonera’s commercial LTE network in Helsinki.
A roaming device was equipped with NB-IoT technology, which both telcos said showed how the technology could allow enterprises to track their fleets of vehicles or healthcare providers track patients outside of a hospital.
Sonera used spectrum in its 800MHz holding, with speeds of up to 200kps demonstrated.
Jari Collin, CTO of Sonera, said: “In Finland, we have a long tradition of developing and applying new technologies. The trial shows how the use of today’s mobile technology will fuel the continued growth of the IoT ecosystem to transform every aspect of our customers’ business and personal lives.”
Adolfo Masini, Head of IoT connectivity at Nokia, added: “This trial will lay the foundation for an IoT ecosystem in Finland, and allow Sonera to exploit the massive opportunities that it brings.”
Sonera joins an increasingly crowded ecosystem of NB-IoT operators. Deutsche Telekom became the first operator to launch a NB-IoT network commercially last month.
Vodafone is expected to follow shortly, while EE is planning trials of the technology on 1800MHz spectrum by the second quarter of next year.