Telstra deploys narrowband technology in IoT network

Telstra has successfully deployed narrowband technology in its Internet of Things (IoT) network, a move that will see narrowband coverage in all major Australian cities and many regional towns.

This is the second IoT development from Telstra after the company progressively administered around three million square kilometres of Cat M1 IoT coverage, which was activated last year.

The telecommunications giant says it is the only carrier in Australia and one of the first carriers in the world to offer both narrowband and Cat M1 IoT technologies.

Telstra chief operations officer Robyn Denholm says narrowband technology will accelerate IoT in Australia by opening up the opportunity to connect millions of new devices, as the technology will provide the ability to send small volumes of data at very low power levels over their mobile network.

"We've embraced both Cat M1 and Narrowband to give our customers - and particularly our enterprise customers in industries like transportation and logistics, mining, manufacturing and agriculture -  the opportunity to choose which technology best suits their needs," Denholm says.

"Cat M1 is well suited to applications with data in the 100s of kilobits per second with extended range and long battery life, such as a personal health monitor or a device used to measure vehicle performance.

"Narrowband is better suited to applications sending even smaller amounts of data and operating with an even longer battery life, such as a moisture sensor or livestock tracking device.

Telstra also announced it had entered into a Smart City partnership with the Tasmanian State Government, the Federal Government, several local Councils and the University of Tasmania.

The aim of this program will be to develop and trial new IoT solutions and drive the uptake of IoT in Launceston.

Under the agreement, an IoT lab will be established in Launceston and Telstra will support the creation of a Tasmanian Agritech start-up accelerator.

Denholm adds, "For Australia to take advantage of the opportunities offered by IoT technologies like Narrowband we need a vibrant local ecosystem involving technology companies, start-ups, universities and government collaborating on new products and solutions.

"We are very pleased to be working with all levels of government in Tasmania to leverage our network investments and innovation to establish Launceston as a leading Smart City.