Deutsche Telekom has teamed up with IBM to launch a new IoT innovation space in Munich, as it targets nationwide NarrowBand IoT (NB-IoT) coverage across its European footprint.
Deutsche Telekom is expanding its rapidly growing Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem with the launch of a new Telekom IoT innovation space within IBM’s Watson IoT Center in Munich, Germany
The operator’s new team at the IBM Watson IoT Headquarters will work with the computing company’s technicians to develop new IoT solutions combining their portfolios.
Deutsche Telekom will contribute connectivity, security and IoT capabilities while IBM will offer its AI, big data and industry knowledge.
The new solutions aim to help organisations take advantage of data generated through NB-IoT technology. Initial areas of focus will be the manufacturing, cities and healthcare sectors, with solutions including smart parking, waste and water management.
Ingo Hofacker, head of IoT for Deutsche Telekom: “NB-IoT is the newest trailblazer for the Internet of Things and a major priority for us. This is precisely why we are upgrading our network with full power and are joining forces with strong partners such as IBM.
“The IBM Watson IoT [Headquarters] is a fantastic environment in which we can not only closely collaborate to develop the IoT ecosystem, but also innovate with NB-IoT technologies to help us deliver the transformative business results that our customers demand.”
Telekom IoT Innovation Space
The Telekom IoT innovation space will showcase several IoT applications like smart parking, smart waste and water management, air quality monitoring, as well as predictive maintenance solutions.
The smart air quality monitoring application, for example, will leverage the existing Telekom smart air quality monitoring solution together with the Watson IoT platform.
Sensors will capture and signal air quality data from virtually any location, which will then be aggregated and analysed across multiple areas of a city and combined with weather forecasts and traffic information.
Presented through a visual command centre dashboard, city mayors and other officials will be able to access actionable sensor-generated insights and contextual data for advanced planning, forecasting and other predictive and cognitive functions, all focused on improving air quality.
Citizens can monitor the air quality in their location via an easy-to-use mobile app.
Sherri Thomas, head of the IBM Watson IoT Centre, said: “Since inaugurating the IBM Watson IoT Centre, we have seen tremendous interest from partners and customers who are eager to co-locate teams at our cognitive collaboratory to innovate and create future of IoT with our experts.
“We are excited to welcome Deutsche Telekom and have them join a strong community of clients and partners, including BMW, BNP Paribas, Capgemini, Tech Data and Tech Mahindra.”
Partnering is key to driving IoT innovation
Deutsche Telekom is developing NB-IoT applications in a number of other research facilities with several partners from industry and science.
Examples include the opening of the Telekom Open IoT Labs together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML in Dortmund, as well as the Deutsche Telekom European Smart Solutions Centre in Budapest.
Here, an interdisciplinary team is not only designing smart city applications, but also advising cities on their implementation. In addition, Deutsche Telekom and its incubator hub:raum are supporting start-ups with the implementation of NB-IoT applications in numerous projects.
What exactly is NB-IoT?
NB-IoT is a narrowband radio technology designed for the Internet of Things (IoT) and is one of a range of Mobile IoT (MIoT) technologies standardised by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Other 3GPP IoT technologies include eMTC (enhanced Machine-Type Communication) and EC-GSM-IoT.
(According to Wikipedia)
