Multinational telecommunications group MTN has embarked on an aggressive rollout of a next generation, dedicated Internet of Things (IoT) network.

The network includes technologies such as LoRaWAN Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) and Narrow Band-IoT to support its machine2machine (M2M) and IoT platforms to enhance the security of business-critical information.

In a statement issued by the company, Mariana Kruger, GM for IoT Solutions at MTN Business, says these technologies provide the company with an ideal stage to offer cutting-edge and tailored propositions for enterprise clients.

"We have created a dedicated network that has its own core business support systems and operational support systems for all our M2M and IoT solutions. Our network allows us to separate our consumer traffic from our M2M and IoT related traffic.

"This is because we understand that, in this environment, the communications that are coming from these machines can include data from power utilities or vehicles in transit. There is a certain level of criticality of that information that applies," says Kruger.

Kruger says amongst other solutions, MTN Business has also deployed Low Power Wide Area Network technologies in a game reserve to help combat rhino poaching.

According to the Department of Environmental Affairs, in the last decade, more than 7 137 African rhinos have been lost to poaching. "It was with this in mind, that MTN assisted in designing a solution to track animal behaviour."

In order to not compromise the safety of the rhinos, MTN says the technical details of the solution cannot be shared publicly.

Kruger reveals that MTN Business has also started to experiment with low power wide area networks (NB-IoT and CatM1) in urban areas, which the operator is rolling out into its network.

Kruger says another of the solutions that has been brought to market under its fleet management portfolio is 'Cargo Connect.' This is a digital lock that secures goods being transported and only allows them to be accessed with a one-time PIN at a designated (GPS) location specified by the client.

Considering the future of IoT and M2M, Kruger says the growth prospects are massive, particularly for industries and sectors that are buckling from inefficiencies owing to lack of access to these types of solutions.

"Whether businesses choose to adopt it or not, technology is already going down that road. Enablement is created at the point of manufacture. For example, by the time you buy a motor vehicle, connectivity solutions are already installed and can't be removed. It also gives manufacturers the opportunity to create new revenue streams via value-added services as the result of the vehicle being connected," Kruger concludes.