Vodafone Qatar & Netcomm Wireless Announce Strategic Partnership to Bolster M2M in Qatar

DOHA, Qatar, Dec. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- NetComm Wireless Limited (ASX: NTC) and Vodafone Qatar Q.S.C., today announced a strategic partnership to extend Vodafone Qatar's fixed and mobile networks to devices and machines which are used to enable Smart City applications such as security systems, intelligent transport systems, smart metering and smart medical devices.

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. With Vodafone's unrivaled global experience in connecting machines, businesses of all sizes 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 Vodafone Qatar.

Designed to seamlessly integrate with Vodafone's network in Qatar and around the world and diverse applications, 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.

Vodafone is the world's leader in Machine 2 Machine (M2M) with experience of deploying smart city solutions across the world. Vodafone Qatar is fully committed to support the Qatar National Vision 2030 and this partnership with NetComm Wireless will deliver the new technology required to drive the continued expansion of one of the world's fastest growing economies.

"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 with NetComm Wireless underpins our strategy to enable Smart Cities in Qatar. Vodafone is investing now to bring our global expertise to Qatar and help to realize the 2030 Qatar National vision. NetComm Wireless' unique understanding of business objectives and industry applications in the Middle East together with Vodafone Qatar being first to market with cutting edge M2M services will deliver countless benefits to our customers," saidKyle Whitehill, CEO, Vodafone Qatar.

"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. The combined capacity of Vodafone Qatar's experience in deploying such solutions and NetComm Wireless' 3G/4G M2M technologies will enable a new level of business efficiency, productivity and safety," said David Stewart, CEO and Managing Director, NetComm Wireless.

The Vodafone MachineLink 3G, developed by NetComm Wireless, has been certified by Vodafone Group and is ready for deployment to business customers on the Vodafone Qatar network.

NetComm Wireless' industrial-strength 3G M2M devices are built to withstand challenging conditions, such as rugged in-vehicle and outdoor environments and feature a Software Development Kit (SDK) for true open management capabilities. The devices are also equipped with TR-069 to support remote asset management and control and multi-system monitoring for always-on connectivity.