Vodafone has become the first operator in Ireland to offer dedicated IoT (Internet of Things) SIM cards under its ‘V-SIM’ initiative.
Any consumer IoT products sold by Vodafone will now ship as standard with a V-SIM by Vodafone card.
The operator’s counterpart app provides the user with an overview of all Vodafone IoT products registered under their account.
New devices can easily be registered by scanning a QR code with the app, offering a seamless and uncomplicated way for consumers to get started with IoT products.
Vodafone Group Chief Executive, Vittorio Colao, said:
“The Internet of Things is already beginning to transform how businesses operate. Over the next decade, the expansion of IoT into consumer markets will bring about an equally dramatic shift in how people manage their daily lives, at home and in their leisure time.
‘V by Vodafone’ makes it simple to connect a wide range of IoT-enabled devices, helping customers keep everyone and everything that matters to them safe and secure.
We look forward to applying our world-leading expertise in IoT to help consumers make the most of the next phase of the global digital revolution.”
While many products today use WiFi to communicate, the use of Vodafone’s mobile network enables devices to be connected in 32 countries wherever there’s signal.
This mobility opens up new opportunities which Vodafone is looking to exploit with a series of new product launches.
V-Auto is an OBD-based dongle which plugs into a user’s car and provides automatic emergency features, a ‘Safety Score’ for helping drivers improve their road sense, and a ‘Find My Car’ tracking ability for when you’ve lost your vehicle in a large car park (I’m sure most drivers relate).
V-Auto costs €80 upfront along with a €2.99/month subscription.
V-Camera is created in partnership with Netgear’s Arlo security camera brand. The wireless HD mobile security camera is able to be placed in indoor or outside areas where a WiFi signal may have difficulties, such as through a brick wall.
V-Camera costs €350 upfront with a €4.99/month subscription.
Finally, V-Bag is a tracker which can be used to keep track of handbags, schoolbags, briefcases, or anything else important. An automatic alert can be sent to the user if the bag leaves a designated area.
V-Bag costs €60 upfront with a €2.99/month subscription.
V by Vodafone products are available in a range of countries including the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, and now Ireland.
What are your thoughts on the ‘V by Vodafone’ initiative? Let us know in the comments.
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The show is co-located with the AI & Big Data Expo, Cyber Security & Cloud Expo and Blockchain Expo so you can explore the entire ecosystem in one place.
