Connected & Smart Technology News
Strategy & Change
Deutsche Telekom eyes ‘true convergence’ with all in one home OS
Group developing single OS for smart-home, TV, and comms.
Partnerships & AlliancesOrange-backed SoundHound helping Deutsche Telekom find voice
New buddy for DT’s vaunted ‘voicification’ strategy.
- Partnerships & Alliances
T‑Systems flags smart‑city partnership with Arcus Infrastructure Partners and Arthur D. Little
T‑Systems (T‑Sys) highlighted a smart‑city partnership with infrastructure fund Arcus Infrastructure Partners and management consultant Arthur D. Little.
- M&A
Telefónica España acquires 50% stake in alarm business
After the abrupt end of its Securitas partnership, Telefónica is again attempting to integrate security services into its connected home strategy. Despite allusions to “smart” solutions, Prosegur currently remains principally a traditional burglar alarm business. Shareholder and partner.
- Innovation (R&D)
O2 UK’s smart ambulance trial creates remote consulting room
Telefónica UK (O2 UK) provided connectivity for a smart ambulance at Millbrook Proving Ground in September 2019, as part of a trial which it claims “has the potential to revolutionise patient diagnosis, transport and treatment”.
- Innovation (R&D)
Telefónica sets up 5G vehicle-testing in Malaga
European operating businesses are continuing to ratchet-up participation in connected vehicle projects as part of efforts to develop 5G industrial use cases. A testing centre in Spain appears to fit with smart city ambitions, while, in the UK, connectivity for ambulances as part of research into using 5G as ...
- Products & Services
Vodafone Greece enables smart waste collection system in Athens
Vodafone Innovus, Vodafone Greece’s (VfGr) Internet of Things solutions subsidiary, was reported to have helped set up a new “smart waste collection” system in Athens.
- Partnerships & Alliances
Vodafone Germany 5G in planes, trains, stadiums, and automobiles
Partnerships with Airbus, Thales, and North Rhine-Westphalia help VfD target different 5G markets. Network slicing and edge computing underpin various use cases of the next‑gen tech.
- Partnerships & Alliances
Vodafone takes IoT on road with Geotab and Trinsic
Vodafone Automotive and Geotab club together to create Vodafone Business Fleet Analytics. New telematics and analytics platform initially available in France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and UK. Vodafone extends partnership with Trinsic to woo automakers with branded connected-car solutions spread across multiple markets.
- Partnerships & Alliances
Axiros enlisted for T-Mobile’s push on home front
Connected-home angle to TMPL’s fibre broadband expansion drive.
- Products & Services
T-Mobile US planning family-orientated addition to its SyncUp product set
T‑Mobile US (TMUS) appeared to be planning a family-oriented adjunct to the SyncUP DRIVE connected-car product set it launched in 2016 (Deutsche Telekomwatch, #58).
- Products & Services
Telekom Deutschland keeps home fires burning at IFA
Commercial smart speaker available. Expansion of smart homes services. Magenta VR on display. Wi‑Fi optimisation at home.
- Venturing
Deutsche Telekom hub:raum-backed smart-home startup Ecoisme ceases trading
Ecoisme, a smart-home startup backed by Deutsche Telekom’s hub:raum innovation unit, flagged that it had “ceased trading due to becoming insolvent”.
- Partnerships & Alliances
ZTE provides Deutsche Telekom’s CarConnect solution with a new terminal
ZTE provides “completely revised” terminal for Deutsche Telekom’s CarConnect solution.
- Partnerships & Alliances
Deutsche Telekom seeks next level in Microsoft partnership
Leadership love-bombs Nadella, seeking a replenished, “forward-looking” relationship after German cloud tie-up demise. Mix of opportunities seen in old ground (cloud and IoT) and new (voice interfaces).
- Interviews & Profiles
Telefónica UK on Smart Cities’ challenges and opportunities
Dimitrios Spiliopoulos discusses the developing relationship between operators and urban public bodies on the development of smart city solutions.
- Partnerships & Alliances
Vodacom Group partners with Toyota on connected-car
Vodacom Group formed a connected-car partnership with Toyota South Africa Motors, the local subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation, as part of its ongoing Internet of Things (IoT) drive.
- Innovation (R&D)
BT Group showcases Celeno’s high-resolution imaging technology
Celeno, a provider of smart, managed Wi-Fi solutions, flagged that its Wi-Fi Doppler Imaging technology was to be showcased at what it described as “BT’s Executive Demo Day”.
- Public Affairs
BT Group finally confirmed as main USO provider for broadband
From March 2020, BT (and KCOM) will be obliged to provide a broadband link of at least 10Mbps to premises unable to connect via commercial operators. Ofcom still to confirm how it intends to fund the obligation, with a consultation expected by the end of 2019.
- Network & Infrastructure
Operators, other industries struggle for 5G commonality
5G expectations have been raised, and now need to be met: lots of talk of potential, but monetisation not clear cut. Scepticism over network readiness for advanced, challenging applications, such as in gaming and sport. Supplier establishment again chided for dragging feet on harmonisation and cloud-ification; operators stuck in ...
- Public Affairs
EU member states reject European Commission's connected cars proposal
Deutsche Telekom (DT) was no doubt cheered by European Union (EU) member states’ rejection of a proposal by the European Commission (EC) that recommended connected cars in Europe should be supported by Wi-Fi standard 802.11p.
- Public Affairs
Höttges wades into EU connected car dispute
Timotheus Höttges, Chief Executive of Deutsche Telekom (DT), waded into the dispute at European Union (EU) level over which technology should be selected to support connected-cars in Europe.
