KPN said the new offering allows businesses to connect their own devices to the operator’s IoT platform
Dutch telecom operator KPN has unveiled a new IoT platform oriented to the enterprise segment. The new solution, dubbed KPN Things, includes hardware, connectivity as well as data and consulting services. The horizontal platform is based on a kit from Cumulocity and is supplemented by a range of connected devices.
The services take advantage of KPN’s LoRa and mobile networks, with fixed monthly prices for the platform and services. KPN completed the roll-out of its national LoRa network last year. The company also started testing LTE-M services in 2016 and said it aims to start the services late this year as modules become available.
KPN Things, for which the operator is charging a fixed monthly fee, also enables businesses to connect their own devices to the platform.
“We see a huge growth in the IoT market, in every industry there is an increasing need for new applications that can help organizations work more efficiently or develop new business models,” Carolien NijhuisManaging director of IoT at KPN, said. “We introduce KPN Things to better serve business customers, in order for them to take full advantage of the opportunities in this market.”
Last month, KPN and China Unicom had reached a partnership agreement to share their internet of things (IoT) networks. Through this agreement KPN’s local and international customers will be able to access the Chinese IoT market, while China Unicom customers can enter the European IoT market.
KPN and China Unicom said they will utilize SIMs based on the GSMA standard for remotely provisionable SIMs, which allows IoT-devices to switch to a provider and become a local subscription.
IoT customers of KPN and China Unicom can track their entire distribution through the unified IoT connectivity management portal. The first customers will start using the service at the end of 2017, the two companies said.
