On February 22, ofo announced a strategic partnership with China Telecom and Huawei to develop an intelligent shared bicycle solution powered by NB-IoT technology. This collaboration aims to enhance the efficiency and user experience of shared mobility through advanced Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. China Telecom will provide extensive wireless network coverage, while Huawei will supply NB-IoT chips and technical support for the development of smart locks and connectivity systems.
This marks the first time NB-IoT technology is being applied in the shared bike industry. The new bikes are expected to have longer battery life—up to 2-3 years—and faster unlocking speeds. They can also operate seamlessly in areas with weak or no signal, such as underground parking lots or remote locations. Unlike traditional communication methods, NB-IoT offers better signal coverage and stability, ensuring smoother operation even in challenging environments.
The key aspects of shared bike services include locating a bike, unlocking it, returning it, and billing. However, when cellular networks are insufficient, users may face issues like delayed feedback on vehicle status, leading to billing delays. Traditional electronic locks also consume more power, requiring built-in charging mechanisms that can be inconvenient for users and increase the risk of malfunctions.
The new NB-IoT solution developed by ofo, China Telecom, and Huawei includes smart locks, connection chips, intelligent management systems, and cloud services. Leveraging NB-IoT’s superior coverage and ultra-low power consumption, this technology is well-suited for shared bike applications. It is expected to be commercialized within the next few months.
With NB-IoT, the unlocking process becomes nearly instant, allowing for features like "random password" unlocking via data transmission. The signal strength of NB-IoT is 20 dB higher than conventional networks, meaning it can penetrate walls and reach areas where other signals struggle. Users can unlock bikes even if they’re parked in hard-to-reach spots.
NB-IoT is an emerging IoT technology designed for low-power, wide-area applications. It offers advantages such as broad coverage, multiple device connections, low cost, and energy efficiency. These qualities make it ideal for large-scale IoT deployments worldwide.
China Telecom operates one of the largest broadband and mobile communication networks globally, offering comprehensive information services and customer support. Huawei, a global leader in ICT solutions, provides end-to-end technologies across telecommunications, enterprise networks, devices, and cloud computing.
Yu Quan, Chief Strategy Officer at Huawei’s Wireless Network Product Line, stated that Huawei has been actively developing NB-IoT technology since 2013. He emphasized that shared bikes are a perfect use case for NB-IoT, which is specifically designed for such scenarios. Huawei’s end-to-end NB-IoT solution has already been tested in over 20 industries.
According to Yu Quan, the NB-IoT chip is cost-effective and will be launched with ofo in the coming months. While the exact number of cooperative bikes hasn’t been disclosed, he mentioned that the technology is not exclusive and could potentially be adopted by other shared bike companies in the future.
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