Vodafone Qatar in new deal to expand M2M services

Vodafone Qatar Sunday announced a new strategic partnership with NetComm Wireless to extend fixed and mobile networks to devices and machines (M2M) services. The new agreement follows from the success of NetComm Wireless' existing partnership with Vodafone Global Enterprise for delivery of the Vodafone MachineLink 3G across Vodafone Global Enterprise’s markets. Businesses across all industry and service sectors are set to benefit from the ability to remotely monitor and manage previously isolated assets from a central location in real-time using this technology, Vodafone Qatar said. The Vodafone MachineLink 3G and NetComm Wireless' broader portfolio of wireless M2M devices will allow Vodafone Qatar to expand into bringing end-to-end solutions to its customers in Qatar. Commenting on the expansion, Vodafone Qatar CEO Kyle Whitehill said, "In the next 20 years, Qatar will have one of the smartest cities on earth and M2M technology will underpin the delivery of this successful outcome. This new collaboration underpins our strategy to enable smart cities in Qatar. The M2M services will deliver countless benefits to our customers." NetComm Wireless CEO and Managing Director David Stewart said, "Vodafone Qatar shares our commitment to innovation and we look forward to working together to transform business communications at a time of significant industrial growth and infrastructure development. M2M technologies will enable a new level of business efficiency, productivity and safety." M2M technology is also used to enable smart city applications such as security systems, intelligent transport systems, smart metering and smart medical devices.