Telstra and MTData to roll out IoT solution, Samsung tablets for Linfox

Telstra has landed its first major IoT contract since acquiring GPS and fleet management solutions provider MTData, with a deal to roll out a telematics solution to logistics company Linfox.

Telstra and MTData will roll out the telematics and management solution to Linfox's truck fleet, which will provide transport and logistics data and quality benchmarking information to improve driver and public safety.

Linfox is one of Australia's biggest privately owned logistics companies with more than 5000 trucks in its fleet.

In addition, Telstra will also roll out Samsung tablets to Linfox's heavy vehicles that will allow drivers to access logbooks, complete safety checks and record road safety incidents for some vehicles.

"Heavy vehicle safety is a key issue within our industry and community and by partnering with Telstra to implement transformative technologies that allow us to better monitor and measure safety compliance throughout our fleet, we can work to reduce risk factors and enhance safe driver behaviour,” said Linfox CIO Conrad Harvey.

“The technology will require our drivers to log on and complete safety checklists before they head off on the road and will allow us to gain more accurate in-cab readings of speed and distance. The devices will enable us to coordinate our vehicles efficiently, reduce congestion on the roads and above all, ensure a higher level of safety for the community.”

Telstra acquired MTData for an undisclosed amount in November last year, giving the network operator the technical capability and software expertise to fast-track its enterprise connected vehicle offering.

Melbourne-headquartered MTData provides GPS fleet management and dispatch systems for a range of industries that heavily rely on vehicles, such as transport, government departments and public services.

Telstra activated its national IoT network in September last year, supporting CAT-M1 and now narrowband devices. The telco said it currently supported two million active IoT devices on its network.