Singtel, China Mobile in network-sharing IoT deal – The Straits Times
What happened: Singapore-based telecom company Singtel is partnering with China Mobile to improve the Internet of Things network infrastructure across the Asia Pacific region. The agreement will make the operation of IoT devices seamless across the two companies’ networks. Singtel’s head of IoT Diomedes Kastanis said the partnership will “generate economies of scale, allowing enterprises to accelerate the expansion of their IoT footprints in the two countries.” China Mobile will also make available its NB-IoT products to Singtel customers, expanding its market for the low-cost, low-power tech often used in infrastructure and health applications.
Why it matters: The unification of networks is crucial in achieving a truly connected IoT. If companies develop separate and unbridgeable platforms to manage IoT devices, it will difficult for customers to integrate disparate services. Such partnerships promise to make application management easier for end users. Singtel has also teamed up with Microsoft to launch an AI-powered IoT cloud network which serves the same purpose. However, the more devices are that connected, the more fearful consumers are for the safety of their personal data. A study by the Internet Society found that 90% of respondents want a security standard to be implemented across all IoT manufacturers and service providers.