A NEW internet network has been rolled out in Frankston in an Australia first launch of a commercial Narrowband Internet of Things.
The low power wide area network is not connected to the national broadband network used by households and is a separate network that enables businesses to monitor, send and receive data from objects that have embedded sensors.
The initial launch of the Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) network by Vodafone in Frankston will see businesses such as Metasphere monitor area water usage in real time.
Frankston was chosen by Vodafone as a location to launch the NB-IoT network thanks to previous trials with South East Water.
The state government-owned water management authority’s head office is located in Frankston.
NB-IoT chips installed on sewerage and rainwater pipes will eventually be used to control waste water flows from properties and identify sewerage faults.
Unauthorised entry to manholes will be immediately flagged.
The NB-IoT network and technology have been used elsewhere globally to automatically monitor parking times in car park spaces and track when rubbish bins are full.
“Australians will see a huge variety of products, services and applications enabled by NB-IoT over the coming years as more carriers, vendors, utilities and commercial organisations roll out and harness the benefits of this new way of connecting devices,” Vodafone executive general manager of enterprise Stuart Kelly Kelly said.
“This will enable society to become smarter and more efficient, massively benefiting the general public as well as businesses. We expect NB-IoT to be a key driver behind Australia’s move towards becoming a smarter, more connected country.”
Businesses are charged for the NB-IoT service based on project scope.
Vodafone is also working with CCP Technologies Limited with a focus on managing food inventory in commercial fridges at restaurants.
The Internet of Things network has also been launched by Vodafone at the telco’s Port Melbourne and Sydney offices before a wider rollout next month.
