Two Degrees Mobile and NEC New Zealand have announced that they are collaborating on a project that will use the Internet of Things (IoT) trend to help make New Zealand cities smarter.

Yesterday the companies announced a 'memorandum of collaboration' agreement, which the companies say will develop innovative technologies and advanced network solutions for smart cities.

The collaboration will blend knowledge, ideas and state-of-the art technologies to develop smart city solutions. Their focus is both on the NZ and export markets, the companies say.

“NEC and 2degrees are both actively engaged in developing opportunities within the burgeoning Internet of Things (IoT) market. It makes sense to combine NEC's technology leadership and the power of 2degrees' national mobile and fixed networks to explore opportunities,” says Stewart Sherriff, 2degrees CEO.

The collaboration is non-exclusive and will bring together 2degrees' next generation network backhaul technologies and NEC New Zealand's experience in sensor deployments and practical smart city projects.

NEC New Zealand Managing Director Tetsuro Akagi said, “NEC is excited to collaborate with 2degrees and be involved in Smart Cities development in New Zealand.  This partnership presents an excellent opportunity to co-create and implement practical solutions which enable cities to become truly smart.

2degrees was launched in 2009 as a mobile network, but has since expanded to form 2G, 3G and 4G networks. The company claims that it has significantly lowered mobile costs for New Zealanders. 2degrees purchased Snap broadband in 2015 and became a full telecommunications service provider, including ADSL, VDSL and UFB services. Its shareholders include US-based mobile communications providers Trilogy International Partners, Tesbrit BV and Hautaki Limited.

NEC New Zealand has provided technology to homes and businesses since the 1960s. It now focuses on IT, network, telecommunications and identity services. NEC says its commitment to quality and reliability is backed by local technical expertise, and provides updates as diverse digital signage networks and biometric technologies for law enforcement agencies.