VOdafone IoT – Mobile News

Vodafone IoT lands Hyundai Group in-car connectivity deal across Gulf region.

Staff Reporter — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 11:30:32 +0000

Vodafone IoT is to provide in-car connectivity for Hyundai vehicles sold in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE.

The agreement covers group brands Hyundai, Kia and Genesis cars to comply with local regulatory requirements for connectivity in each country. Vodafone IoT will provide local network access and compliance with national data and telecoms regulations.

Vodafone IoT’s Global SIM+ technology will be used. This allows a single SIM to operate as a local SIM in each market and enables local data routing and regulatory compliance while maintaining connectivity for vehicles that move between countries.

Vodafone IoT’s Global SIM + operates as a local SIM in each market (File Pic)

Vodafone IoT’s centralised managed connectivity platform integrates with local operator networks and allows Hyundai to oversee vehicle connectivity across countries from a single system.

Connected car services in the region will include remote vehicle control, vehicle status monitoring and other app-based functions. Deployment of these in the Middle East are complicated by differing national regulations.

Vodafone IoT said the partnership is intended to simplify launches in regulated markets by combining global SIM management with local operator relationships. Hyundai Motor Group said the deployment supports its broader move towards software-defined vehicles and connected services.

The two companies plan to extend the partnership to additional countries in the Middle East and Africa.

Vodafone IoT and Skylo to test satellite connectivity for IoT devices

Staff Reporter — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 11:57:59 +0000

Vodafone IoT and US satellite connectivity specialist Skylo Technologies,will trial a new way of keeping connected devices online in areas with limited or no mobile coverage.

The idea is to combine Vodafone’s mobile network with satellite technolog to keep IoT connected even in remote locations. A full commercial service will follow if the trial is successful,

Skylo offers satellite connectivity for connected devices. Its network works with standard IoT hardware and uses existing mobile standards, making it easier for mobile operators to add satellite coverage without major changes to devices.

Skylo was founded by a group of engineers and scientists from MIT and Stanford in the US, and a deployment team in Finland and India.

Skylo’s satellite network covers 36 countries and around 70 million square kilometres to extend connectivity beyond mobile masts.

Vodafone IoT chief executive Erik Brenneis said the partnership was another step towards global IoT connectivity, improving reliability and new types of connected services. Skylo CEO and co-founder Parthsarathi Trivedi said the trial shows that “anywhere connectivity” is something that is now ready to be used at scale.

Erik Brenneis: another step towards global IoT

Under the trial, IoT devices wtih Vodafone SIM will switch automatically between the mobile network and satellite network when mobile coverage is unavailable.

The technology is aimed at sectors such as asset tracking, energy services, environmental monitoring and fleet management, where devices are deployed in rural or remote locations.

Connected devices can be managedthrough Vodafone IoT’s existing managed connectivity platform, whether the devices are using mobile or satellite connectivity.

Vodafone IoT adds global satellite connectivity through Iridium partnership

Staff Reporter — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 10:47:22 +0000

Vodafone IoT says it will offer IoT connectivity anywhere in the world, following a partnership with Iridium Communications to add satellite connectivity to its IoT services and extending coverage to areas without mobile network signal.

The agreement will give Vodafone access to Iridium’s NTN Direct service, which supports IoT connectivity for data messaging, tracking and remote monitoring. Commercial availability is planned for 2026, following integration and testing.

The service will use the Iridium satellite network to support industrial and automotive applications, including remote infrastructure monitoring, maritime tracking and emergency services.

Iridium operates a low-Earth-orbit satellite constellation to provide low-power, weather-resilient connectivity. The company already supports direct-to-device and NB-IoT services.

Vodafone IoT provides managed connectivity services for more than 215 million devices across 180 countries.

Erik Brenneis, CEO of Vodafone IoT, said: “This new partnership with Iridium opens the door to a new generation of IoT connectivity. By using satellite connectivity, customers will benefit from global coverage. They can connect their devices where they can’t today”.

“New partnership with Iridium opens the door to a new generation of IoT connectivity.”