Vodafone is hoping to leverage its favourable market position and prior experience with enterprise solutions for the launch of a new brand of consumer IoT products.
The brand is called ‘V by Vodafone’ and devices will be connected to the operator’s network straight out the box to simplify things for the consumer.
“The Internet of Things is already beginning to transform how businesses operate,” said Vodafone group chief executive Vittorio Colao. “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.”
Some of the products available include a connected car dongle, a 4G security camera, a pet location tracker, an activity tracker, and a bag location tracker.
All of the devices will be linked by the dedicated ‘V by Vodafone’ smartphone app to provide customers with a “single and intuitive” overview of all IoT-enabled products registered to their account.
Vodafone is making a big play on the simplicity of this solution with many average consumers finding the IoT and smart homes daunting and complex. To that end, the products can be set up simply by using the app to scan the barcode on each packaging.
With each registration, the monthly fee will be added to the customer’s existing Vodafone account.
Products will be automatically connected to Vodafone’s network in any of 32 countries and will be constantly connected wherever there is a mobile signal.
The line was developed with insights from “comprehensive research” involving more than 15,000 consumers in Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, according to Vodafone. Products will be sold in Vodafone stores in each of these countries.
Vodafone’s line of IoT products leverages the unique position operators are in to offer these services, and appears to be one of the most simple ways for consumers to get started while offering clear benefits to their lives. It will be interesting to see how Vodafone expands the line and how it is received by consumers.
Are you impressed with Vodafone’s new IoT brand? Share your thoughts in the comments.
