Vodafone has carried out wireless network trials using the emerging Narrow Band-IoT (NB-IoT) standard.
NB-IoT is an under development 4G standard for connecting the so-called Internet of Things (IoT). NB-IoT is expected to be finalised this year. It is an ultra-low-power standard intended to allow connected devices to be powered for many years using a small battery.
Vodafone today offered details of its NB-IoT trials, which were carried out in Melbourne in partnership with Huawei. The trials were conducted late last month.
The trials tested the ability of devices using the standard to receive a signal over long distances and through solid barriers.
“Based on our testing in the Melbourne CBD, NB-IoT would be able to penetrate two to three double-brick walls, enabling connectivity of objects in underground carparks and basements,” Vodafone’s CTO Benoit Hanssen said.
“We also achieved extended coverage during tests in suburban Melbourne, with distances of up to 30 kilometres.”
“The benefits of NB-IoT include deeper and further coverage, up to 10 years’ battery life, increased scalability with up to 100,000 devices per cell and low cost of modem chipsets forecasted at less than $5,” the CTO said in a statement.
Vodafone said it intends to conduct further NB-IoT trials in coming months.
Telstra earlier this year offered some details of how it was preparing its network for an onslaught of IoT devices.
The telco said it was working with Ericsson to test low-power Cat-M devices and NB-IoT.