SK Telecom has signed an MOU with Nokia Networks to jointly research and develop narrowband IoT(NB-IoT) communication technologies. Both companies will co-develop NB-IoT that uses a bandwidth of 0.2 MHz (or 200 kHz), compared to LTE that requires at least 1.4 MHz bandwidth. NB-IoT is a narrowband radio technology specially designed for IoT. The technology is currently being standardized by the 3GPP standards body.
According to Nokia Networks, NB-IoT will maximize efficiency by supporting low-power transmission of small data among massive number of low throughput devices. The technology can be deployed in-band, utilizing resource blocks within a normal LTE carrier through equipment upgrade.
The two companies will also develop diverse uses cases and key technologies related to NB-IoT, while leading standardization efforts for NB-IoT at 3GPP.
SK Telecom is also conducting researches on other IoT technologies, including LTE MTC (Machine Type Communication) and LPWAN (Low-Power Wide-Area Network). Following are the operator's initiatives in the IoT space in the last 12 months:
1. Ericsson, Sony Mobile and SK Telecom Trial IoT Wearables over LTE
2. SK Telecom Runs Pilot Operation of IoT-based Fish Farm Management System
3. SK Telecom Joins LoRa Alliance to Develop IoT Network for 'Small Things'
4. SK Telecom Launches Open IoT Platform 'ThingPlug'
5. SK Telecom Selects Samsung vEPC VNF & Cloud Manager for IoT Network
6. LG U+, SK Telecom oneM2M Standards-based IoT Platforms Ready for Commercialization
Park Jin-hyo, Senior Vice President and Head of Network R&D Center at SK Telecom
Through the MOU, SK Telecom and Nokia Networks will develop and secure NB-IoT, which is a powerful technology that can support a wide range of IoT services involved with transmission of ultra-small data. industry.
Andrew Cope, Head of Korea at Nokia Networks
The company would break new ground in IoT through joint research and development with SK Telecom, as NB-IoT is one of core technologies which is essential for the development of a variety of IoT services.
