Vodafone has connected its 200 millionth Internet of Things (IoT) device: a healthcare monitor. It belongs to a secure worldwide network of smart devices and machines that monitor people’s health, protect endangered animals, thwart vehicle thefts and detect fires, floods, and earthquakes.
Thanks to the connection with Vodafone’s IoT network, the healthcare monitor provides doctors with essential information about a patient’s cardiac health and certain vital signs remotely. The very first of Vodafone’s 200 million IoT devices was an in-car window-screen mounted navigation unit connected back in 2009.
In the last five years, Vodafone has more than doubled the number of IoT connections in its network to over 200 million with more than a quarter of those located in Germany. This growth has been driven by organisations investing in new digital technologies to boost productivity, strengthen supply chains, track assets, and collect data for analysis.
For instance, IoT devices connected by Vodafone are being used to track the movement, quality and quantity of coal from 200 mines across South Africa; and in Europe, it is facilitating monitoring of water leaks and forest fires.
IoT allows companies to operate more efficiently and sustainably. Vodafone estimates that more than half of all connections directly enable customers to reduce their own emissions, including the ability to automate monitoring of energy usage across national electricity grids, track energy consumption in smart buildings and detect and regulate traffic congestion.
“This major milestone underlines the critical role Vodafone’s global IoT network plays in supporting many thousands of businesses and public sector organisations in more than 180 countries. Whether it’s connecting smart sensors or industrial robots, our digital network infrastructure is transforming lives and powering economies,” said Marika Auramo, CEO of Vodafone Business.
“Reaching and surpassing the 200 millionth IoT connection is a huge moment in our history, and reflects the dedication, innovation and spirit of our team. As a global leader in managed IoT – where we do everything to connect anything – we will continue to push the boundaries to further improve lives and businesses. This milestone is just the beginning of our hyperscale journey, and I’m sure we’ll be celebrating many more moments like this in years to come,” added Erik Brenneis, CEO of Vodafone IoT.
The opportunities created by connected devices are growing as the adoption of IoT services is increasing. Physical assets are beginning to communicate with each other in real time and new digital markets are being established. This is leading to the Economy of Things, where connected devices securely trade with each other.
Vodafone is also integrating its IoT SIM directly into a chipset of a device at the point of manufacture. Also known as SIM, it simplifies processes, reduces their costs and automates deployment of the network service. This makes the technology particularly effective for large-scale IoT deployments, such as smart labels used to track parcels through their journey, or smart meters. Vodafone’s global SIMs give customers of all sizes access to secure, reliable and compliant connectivity wherever they operate across the globe.
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