Flying high: Vodafone 5G, drone and IoT projects win awards

The company’s pioneering use of 5G Standalone, as well as its work with drone delivery and water companies, has been recognised at the National Technology Awards and the Mobile Industry Awards.

Vodafone has received awards for its work with NHS drone deliveries and for helping water companies tackle leaks at the National Technology Awards 2021 (NTAs) in London.

Meanwhile at the Mobile Industry Awards (MIAs), which also took place in the capital, the company was lauded for pioneering the use of 5G Standalone in the UK.

Vodafone’s work with Skyports in delivering medical supplies to remote Scottish communities using 4G-connected drones has been recognised with the Tech For Good gong at the NTAs. The Tech For Good award also recognised Vodafone’s work with Defra in outfitting trees with IoT sensors for climate change research.

Away from the skies, Vodafone’ subterranean efforts have also been praised. The company’s Internet of Things (IoT) platform for water companies enables utility providers to manage and monitor sensors from multiple manufacturers using a single dashboard.

By unifying disparate monitoring and detection systems, the IoT platform helps water companies reduce costs and better tackle issues, such as detecting leaky pipes. This IoT effort has been recognised with the Regulatory Technology Project of the Year award at the NTAs.

Vodafone also picked up gongs at the Mobile Industry Awards. It won 5G Innovation of the Year for leading the way with the first use of 5G Standalone in the UK. The company was also honoured with the Best Network for Business and Best MVNO Partner titles at the MIAs.

Away from the limelight of awards ceremonies, Vodafone has been working to advance drone capabilities – by enabling drone pilots to fly their craft remotely, for example. Meanwhile, in conjunction with Ericsson, Vodafone has been using drones to speed up network planning and site upgrades.

Prior to the launch of its IoT platform for water companies, Vodafone had laready helped equip SES Water with IoT sensors to help detect leaky pipes.

Andrea Donà, Network and Development Director for Vodafone UK, said: “It is wonderful that the work of so many people across Vodafone has been recognised with these awards. From drones to IoT and 5G, we are striving to connect everyone in ever more meaningful and useful ways. And we’re just getting started.”