Vodafone Spain and Huawei send first NB-IoT message over a commercial network

Vodafone, Huawei and u-blox are claiming the first successful commercial trial of pre-standard NB-IoT (Narrowband Internet of Things) in Spain.

There is growing momentum around NB-IoT as a parallel mobile network designed specifically to deliver IoT traffic by requiring significantly less power on the part of the individual devices. Since most such devices will be embedded, minimising the amount of power they use is a priority.

Vodafone and Huawei integrated the technology onto the operator’s existing mobile network in Spain and then sent the pre-standard NB-IoT message to a u-blox module in a water meter

“Vodafone has led the development of NB-IoT, the LPWA technology in licensed spectrum that has gained huge industry support,” said Matt Beal, Director of Innovation and Architecture at Vodafone Group. “Once commercialised, NB-IoT will provide tangible benefits for our enterprise customers, principally making it feasible to connect more devices to the IoT.”

“NB-IoT technology has been recognised by the industry,” said David Wang, President of Huawei’s Wireless Network Business Unit. “With our long-established joint innovation initiative with Vodafone, we are committed to providing innovative solutions to help customers meet their business challenges and to lead the development of the technology and industry ecosystem. Together with Vodafone, we will build a better connected world.”

“This collaboration demonstrates that u-blox is a key player in the IoT market, in terms of technical expertise and thought leadership,” Andreas Thiel, Executive Director, Cellular Products at u-blox. “Along with our partners, we are driving innovation in NB-IoT technology to serve the industry as a whole, and are fully supportive of technology based on global standards.”