Hrvatski Telekom first in Croatia to launch NB-IoT network

  • Hrvatski Telekom was the first to introduce the new NB-IoT (Narrowband Internet of Things) network technology that will enable a revolution on the Croatian IoT market
  • Along with the launch of the new network technology, a new tariff plan will be made available, matched to the LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) market segment
  • The NB-IoT network will be commercially available as of 2 May 2018

Hrvatski Telekom, the forerunner of digitalisation and digital transformation in Croatia, has unveiled the new Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) network technology. The technology is intended for devices that do not require continuous network connection and that send extremely small amounts of data with no need for SMS, MMS, or voice communication.

This technology will, in short time, provide for an extremely large number of connected IoT devices on the Croatian market and secure the prerequisites for Croatian IT companies to develop a large number of IoT solutions for the domestic and foreign market. NB-IoT technology is suitable for application in solutions intended for business and residential customers, for instance in smart parking systems, waste management, air quality monitoring, tracking of things and consignments, for smart metering, in smart home systems, health condition monitoring systems, and the like.

“Hrvatski Telekom’s aim is to encourage development and use of IoT technology, which offers the potential to substantially improve the life quality of our citizens. This is exactly why we have made this infrastructure commercially available, as it will enable further development and realisation of new smart IT solutions. This way, HT further reinforces its position of a telecom operator with the best network on the Croatian market”, said Saša Kramar, Member of the Management Board and Chief Operating Officer Business of Hrvatski Telekom.

The advantages of the NB-IoT technology are clearly visible, primarily in low costs and in the simple communication module that provides direct connection of sensors and other IoT devices to the mobile network (no installation and maintenance of local networks/gateways is required). The technology ensures low consumption of energy needed for the operation of IoT devices, i.e. substantial increase of battery life in the devices, (in optimum conditions up to ten years). This technology is based on the global industry standard for mobile networks, offering the benefits of operation within the licensed communications spectrum. Moreover, the standard’s long-term viability is guaranteed, as all major telecom operators have committed to the NB-IoT technology through their long-term business strategies.

This is exactly why many IoT solution vendors will implement NB-IoT as the primary communications technology in the development of their solutions. This will ensure the longevity of the system and generate demand for NB-IoT devices, thus bringing down their price. Business and residential users of IoT solutions will not have to make additional investments in network construction and maintenance, which will significantly reduce the investment risk and the overall investment.

The NB-IoT network stands out by its excellent coverage and high quality of the mobile signal indoors (for instance in basements), which is particularly relevant for specific applications, such as smart metering. It also boasts a high level of security and reliability, in compliance with global telecommunications standards in mobile networks. This is not only pertaining to data security, but also to the safety of persons, as, for instance, one of the possible applications of NB-IoT technology is traffic regulation.

After successfully completed final testing of the NB-IoT network in the city of Koprivnica in the course of 2017, the NB-IoT network will be commercially available as of 2 May 2018.