Technology and Innovation
Internet of Things (IoT)
Vodafone Business built an industry-leading Global IoT Service by creating our Global IoT SIM and management platform.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is simply the term used for devices such as sensors and machines that are connected so that they can be monitored and controlled remotely.
Since 2010, we have built a global business connecting 187m devices worldwide, serving thousands of customers including many of the world’s major brands.
Vodafone Business IoT operates in over 180 countries across the globe, using around 700 networks through its partners.
The future of IoT has never been more exciting, so why not find out more about how Vodafone Business IoT can help your business.
Pioneering cellular IoT connectivity
Since its launch, Vodafone Business IoT has adapted the secure standardised cellular technology we all use with our mobile phones for ever more ubiquitous and sophisticated machine-to-machine communication.
We pioneered the development of new low power wide area cellular technology capable of connecting sensors in remote locations or deep underground, like water meters, subterranean parking lots or agricultural and environmental monitors.
We are continuing to work on the advancements of 5G for IoT for the next generation of connected devices - from augmented and virtual reality to connected vehicles, smart city developments and even remote surgery.
The benefits and applications of IoT
IoT's impact is wide-ranging. It is used by almost every industry, including connected cars, medical equipment, trains, planes, delivery vehicles, energy distribution, solar panels, wind farms, manufacturing plants and electric vehicle chargers.
It enables individuals to access services such as home security systems using their smartphone or enables businesses to monitor the condition and location of their products anywhere around the world.
IoT plays a crucial role in understanding animal behaviours and migration habits, as well as being able to protect and safeguard them from potential threats – whether they are calving on a farm or at risk of poachers in the wild.
Lowering carbon emissions with IoT
IoT is a major contributor to sustainability as it allows companies to operate much more efficiently. For instance, organisations can reduce their full usage by optimising vehicles’ routes, reduce energy usage with tighter manufacturing processes, or use sensors to detect water loss in networks.
Since setting our carbon enablement target in 2020, we estimate we have enabled our customers to save a cumulative 47.6 million tonnes of carbon emissions.
Our IoT service offer, including logistics, fleet management and smart metering, has been pivotal in delivering these savings so far.
This year, we have enabled the avoidance of an estimated 32.8 million tCO2e - around 75 times the emissions generated from our own operations. Since setting our target in 2020, we’ve helped our customers avoid a cumulative 78.3 million tCO2e. In FY24, we estimate that 55% of our c.187 million IoT connections directly enabled our customers to reduce their emissions.
Learn more about Protecting the planet
How we are supporting the planet with IoT
FAQs
What is IoT and how does the technology work?
The internet of things (IoT) is simply the term used for devices such as sensors and machines that are connected so that they can be monitored and controlled remotely.
What are the benefits of IoT?
IoT generates huge benefits allowing people to access services like their home security system from their smartphone, or for companies to monitor the condition and location of their products anywhere around the world.
What industries & products can IoT be applied to?
IoT is used by almost every industry you can think of – including connected cars, medical equipment, trains, planes, delivery vehicles, energy distribution, solar panels, wind farms, manufacturing plants and electric vehicle chargers.
IoT is even used to monitor animals – helping us to understand their migration habits, as well as keeping them healthy. IoT can also be used to safeguard them, whether they are calving on a farm or at risk of poachers in the wild.
What network technology is required for IoT to run?
IoT can run on different technologies, but typically Cellular network (mobile connectivity) is used.
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