Vodafone has announced that it has connected its 200 millionth IoT device in the telecoms giant’s latest milestone.
The device that marked this achievement is a healthcare monitor connected by Vodafone to its globally-managed IoT network. This technology provides doctors with crucial information about a patient’s cardiac health and certain vital signs remotely, highlighting the transformative impact of IoT in the healthcare sector.
In the last five years, Vodafone has more than doubled its IoT connections to reach over 200 million devices. A significant portion of this growth, exceeding a quarter, is located in Germany, indicating the strong adoption of IoT technologies within the European market.
This expansion has been largely fuelled by organisations across various sectors investing in new digital technologies to enhance productivity, strengthen supply chains, track valuable assets, and gather data for insightful analysis.
The practical applications of Vodafone’s IoT network are diverse and impactful.
In South Africa, IoT devices are being used to track the movement, quality, and quantity of coal from 200 mines. Across Europe, the technology is playing a vital role in monitoring water leaks, conserving precious resources, and detecting forest fires early, enabling quicker responses and minimising potential damage.
Beyond operational efficiencies, IoT is also proving to be a key enabler of sustainability.
Vodafone estimates that over half of its IoT connections directly empower customers to reduce their own emissions. This includes the automation of energy usage monitoring across national electricity grids, the tracking of energy consumption in smart buildings, and the intelligent detection and regulation of traffic congestion in urban areas.
Marika Auramo, CEO of Vodafone Business, said: “This major milestone underlines the critical role Vodafone’s global IoT network plays in supporting many thousands of businesses and public sector organisations in more than 180 countries.
“Whether it’s connecting smart sensors or industrial robots, our digital network infrastructure is transforming lives and powering economies.”
Erik Brenneis, CEO of Vodafone IoT, added: “Reaching and surpassing the 200 millionth IoT connection is a huge moment in our history, and reflects the dedication, innovation, and spirit of our team.
“As a global leader in managed IoT – where we do everything to connect anything – we will continue to push the boundaries to further improve lives and businesses. This milestone is just the beginning of our hyperscale journey, and I’m sure we’ll be celebrating many more moments like this in years to come.”
The increasing adoption of IoT services is unlocking new opportunities. Physical assets are now capable of communicating with each other in real time, giving rise to new digital markets and the burgeoning Economy of Things, where connected devices can securely engage in trade.
With its milestone of 200 million connected devices, Vodafone is solidifying its position as a key player in the global IoT ecosystem.
(Photo by Egor Myznik)
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