Vodafone’s commercial LTE Category M (CAT-M) network in Italy has successfully handled an internet call. The conclusion of a VoLTE call on live network infrastructure is a first for Europe.
Without diminishing the experience for smartphone users, the CAT-M network is built to support numerous Internet of Things (IoT) devices via a single mobile phone site. The available bandwidth is, however, purposefully constrained.
The technology has many different uses. It will enable users of important gadgets in particular who need voice support and data access. According to Vodafone, this will be used in automated building services like connected elevators and fire protection equipment as well as connected healthcare applications like wearable health monitors and senior teleassistance devices. It might also be applied to new alarm systems for auto accidents in the automotive sector.
Without diminishing the experience for smartphone users, the CAT-M network is built to support numerous Internet of Things (IoT) devices via a single mobile phone site. The available bandwidth is, however, purposefully constrained.
CAT-M, a cellular IoT connectivity option to Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), leverages the 4G mobile network and offers faster data rates and lower latency. Vodaphone sees the two technologies as complementary, with NB-IoT being used to connect devices in difficult-to-reach places like underground sensors, as well as ones that withstand the elements to monitor coastal erosion. These devices only require very low data rates and don’t need to be tracked while in motion.
“The global reach of our digital networks and technologies has a key role in connecting people and machines in an emergency,” said Alberto Ripepi, Chief Network Officer at Vodafone.
“This technology is ideally suited to monitoring and tracking vital goods such as medical supplies, enabling safer homes for the elderly, and raising the alarm in an emergency, especially in remote and hard to reach places. Having launched the first nationwide network of its kind in Italy, we’ve now completed the first voice call in Europe,” he said.
