Cloud-based platform brings cellular IoT applications to market in weeks using Nordic Thingy:91

Nordic Semiconductor today announces that it has partnered with Norwegian mobile network provider Telenor to provide developers using Telenor’s ‘Managed IoT Cloud’ (MIC) and SIM cards with the ability to test the platform using the Nordic Thingy:91 and the nRF9160 Development Kit (DK). MIC is an off-the-shelf Cloud-based IoT platform and application toolbox, that enables users to rapidly develop IoT solutions within weeks, without the time-consuming and expensive requirement to build their own infrastructure from scratch.

MIC not only collects and stores data from connected devices, but also provides the tools to analyze that data using standardized dashboards and apps. Alternatively, users can easily build their own applications to visualize and track data using MIC’s developer-friendly Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). Using Nordic Semiconductor’s sophisticated development tools these applications can be brought to market rapidly, without the need for high level programming skills or engineering expertise. Together with Telenor’s NB-IoT/LTE-M networks, MIC is ideal for connecting devices that need small amounts of data, low bandwidth, and long battery life, such as Nordic’s low power cellular IoT solutions.

Rapid prototyping platform

Based on Nordic’s nRF9160 multimode LTE-M/NB-IoT System-in-Package (SiP) with GPS, the battery-powered Nordic Thingy:91 is a rapid prototyping platform certified for global, low-power, long-range LTE-M/NB-IoT applications. It has Arm TrustZone™ security, includes a full range of sensors—including environmental sensors for measuring temperature, humidity, air quality, and air pressure, plus a color and light sensor, along with separate low-power and additional high G-force accelerometers—as well as embedded support courtesy of a Nordic nRF52840 advanced multiprotocol System-on-Chip (SoC) for complementary ultra low power short-range wireless technologies such as Bluetooth® 5.2, Thread, Zigbee, and ANT.

The nRF9160 DK is an affordable, pre-certified single-board development kit for evaluation and development on the nRF9160 SiP for LTE-M, NB-IoT and GPS. It also includes an nRF52840 board controller that, for example, can be used to build a Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth LE) gateway. It has a dedicated LTE-M and NB-IoT antenna that supports a wide range of bands, to operate globally.

Cloud-ready development kit

“The Nordic Thingy:91 is a cool prototyping tool, and its ‘all-in-one’ functionality makes it the perfect first step to test out the Telenor MIC platform,” says Mette Kristine Kanestrøm, Head of Managed IoT Cloud - Telenor. “Developers can implement their MIC-ready code quickly and easily using Nordic’s development tools and the Telenor Start IoT Cloud-ready development kit. Rather than spending years and millions building a platform from scratch, they can take a connected product idea to reality in just a few weeks.”

“Nordic Semiconductor is an important ecosystem partner for Telenor not only in the Nordics, but also globally,” says Jon Petter Andersen, IoT Partner Manager Managed IoT Cloud & Ecosystem Partners – Telenor. “With this new partnership we can achieve more value for our customers and partners, both in the short and long term.” 

“Telenor is one of the world’s major mobile operators, and manages many millions of connected things in more than 200 countries worldwide,” says Magnus Pedersen, Director of Sales in EMEA for Nordic Semiconductor. “This partnership provides users with the best of both worlds, Telenor’s off-the-shelf IoT platform alongside Nordic’s easy-to-use development tools together provide developers with a rapid, non-complex, and cost effective route to market.” 

• About Telenor
• About Nordic Thingy:91
• About Nordic Semiconductor