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Vodafone Launches Commercial NB-IoT Network in Spain

Vodafone Launches Commercial NB-IoT Network in Spain Image Credit: Vodafone

Vodafone’s first commercially available Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) network is now operational in Spain. The new NB-IoT network was deployed within existing 800 MHz spectrum, making optimal use of Vodafone Spain’s 4G spectrum to maximise the signal strength and coverage. To launch NB-IoT, Vodafone said it just needed to update the software in existing base stations. 

Vodafone claims that the new NB-IoT network will soon have the capability to connect more than 100 million new devices to the internet of things. NB-IoT was only finalised as a standard to deliver Low Power Wide Area radio network connectivity in June 2016.

Valencia and Madrid are the first cities in Spain with NB-IoT. As part of a nationwide roll-out, Vodafone said it will extend coverage to Barcelona, Bilbao, Málaga and Seville by the end of March 2017, when there will be over 1,000 mobile sites supporting NB-IoT. Every NB-IoT mobile site can connect more than 100,000 devices.

According to Vodafone, NB-IoT can increase signal coverage area by up to seven times, or 20 decibels (dB), compared to existing GSM technology. That will help customers to connect devices used deep indoors or underground such as gas meters, water meters, smoke and fire alarms and parking monitors.

Following are Vodafone's NB-IoT Milestones

 - November 2015 – June 2016 – pre-standard NB-IoT customer trial with Spanish water company, Aguas de Valencia.

 - February/ March 2016 - water meters and parking spaces connected by pre-standard NB-IoT demonstrated at Mobile World Congress.

 - April 2016 – Vodafone Turkey uses pre-standard NB-IoT to connect a parking meter.  

 - June 2016 – NB-IoT standards finalised by 3GPP.

 - September 2016 - Vodafone Spain completes the first trial of standardised NB-IoT on a live commercial network.

 - October 2016 - Vodafone completed the world’s first test of an NB-IoT connected product on a commercial network. Vodafone Spain connected a parking sensor buried in a space within the Vodafone Plaza in Madrid.

Author

Ray is a news editor at The Fast Mode, bringing with him more than 10 years of experience in the wireless industry.

For tips and feedback, email Ray at ray.sharma(at)thefastmode.com, or reach him on LinkedIn @raysharma10, Facebook @1RaySharma

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