SK Telecom and Nokia Networks begins technology development right after signing a MOU for joint research and development in LTE-based narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) technologies on Dec. 9.
SK Telecom announced on Dec. 10 that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Nokia Networks to jointly research and develop LTE-based narrowband IoT, or NB-IoT, communication technologies.
The NB-IoT uses a narrow bandwidth of 0.2 MHz, or 200 kHz, compared to the existing LTE network that requires a wide bandwidth of 10MHz or 20MHz.
It is also a technology that maximizes efficiency by supporting a low-power transmission of small data of kilobytes in a narrow bandwidth between Things and base stations, and can be available on a normal LTE carrier through an equipment upgrade.
SK Telecom and Nokia will develop key technologies and test equipment related to NB-IoT by the first half of next year, and lead the NB-IoT technology standardization work with 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), a current international mobile communications standardization group.
The two companies will use NB-IoT in low data transmission including location tracing devices for lost child prevention, pets and logistics, and data collection devices for water and gas metering systems.