In Russia, Mobile TeleSystems (MTS), which is in the process of an NB-IoT rollout encompassing all large cities across the Federation, has announced that it is launching a specific NB-IoT-based service tariff for business customers this month, covering 24 cities where its NB-IoT networks have been deployed. The cost of an annual package starts from RUB150 (USD2.24). MTS has also launched a Smart City pilot project based on an NB-IoT network for the housing/utilities sector in Arsk, Republic of Tatarstan. Services being piloted include: video surveillance (security); remote collection of electricity and water consumption data; environmental monitoring (temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide and noise); smart parking (video monitoring of space availability); smart bins (video monitoring of waste containers).
MTS’ wholly owned subsidiary Vodafone Ukraine, meanwhile, is aiming to be the first Ukrainian operator to launch an NB-IoT network. The cellco has signed an agreement to use the global IoT platform of Vodafone Group – with which it has an existing strategic partnering/branding agreement – and the Ukrainian company will roll out its NB-IoT network with integration to the platform.
Back in the former USSR, Beeline Russia has signed a five-year renewable agreement with the Moscow city authorities under which it will deploy a pilot 5G network in the capital next year alongside NB-IoT, Smart City and virtual/augmented reality (VR/AR) solutions. As part of the project, overseen by the Moscow Department of Information Technology (DIT), Beeline plans to launch the NB-IoT network ‘throughout the capital’ and pilot IoT solutions e.g. in housing/utilities, logistics and video surveillance.
And finishing slightly further west, Finland’s Digita is partnering fellow LoRaWAN network operator Levira in Estonia to offer IoT services on both sides of the Gulf of Finland. Ari Kuukka, Director of IoT Services at Digita, said: ‘We will offer clearly achievable benefits, for example container monitoring, for companies such as freight operators in the Gulf of Finland. Leisure boaters can also benefit from positioning and safety solutions.’
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