Telstra has forged an exclusive telco partnership with open-source hardware and software ecosystem Arduino, under which it will release a new IoT developer board in Australia.
Telstra said the new offering supports Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) and LTE Cat M1 networks and is specifically designed to enable rapid innovation, field trials and deployments of cellular connected devices.
As Arduino’s exclusive telco partner in Australia our alliance integrates Telstra’s Cat M1 and NB-IoT network investments with Arduino’s world leading ecosystem to connect developers, startups, students and experimenters in creation and exploration of IoT innovations.
Cat M1 and NB-IoT are cellular technologies designed for IoT sensors operating at very low data rates inside machines, vehicles, and inside buildings. They are designed for a battery life of years rather than hours and days. Telstra, which has over three million square kilometres of Cat M1 coverage across Australia, rolled out NB-IoT coverage in major Australian cities and many regional towns and earlier this year .
The telco said the partnership enabled developers to create innovative IoT services for on-the-go and stationary use cases, offering access to its extended mobility and network coverage and depth.
The Arduino MKR NB 1500 board will be available to purchase in early 2019 from Telstra and will include a M2M SIM via the Telstra Developer Portal.