Tata to provide global 3G connectivity for new Omate smartwatch

Omate Nanoblock smartwatch
Image credit: Tata Communications

Tata Communications and wearables maker Omate announced they are working together to equip the new Omate x Nanoblock children’s smartwatch with instant, secure, global connectivity straight out of the box.

The Omate x Nanoblock comes with 3G connectivity via a built-in Tata Communications MOVE – IoT Connect SIM card, which uses Tata’s IoT network to carry all location, messaging and video calling data over an end-to-end encrypted VPN, ensuring maximum security. The smartwatch triangulates location using GPS, cellular networks and Wi-Fi hotspots for accurate positioning. It also features a limited edition wristband by Japanese toy manufacturer Diablock.

Smartwatches such as the Omate x Nanoblock help parents stay connected with their children and know exactly where they are when needed, providing invaluable peace of mind, said Laurent Le Pen, founder and CEO of Omate.

“Given the growing threat of cyber-crime, any device or application aimed at children must be safeguarded with the highest levels of security,” said Le Pen. “What sets the Omate x Nanoblock apart from other children’s smartwatches is the extra security layer provided by the global private network of Tata Communications MOVE – IoT Connect. It means that parents can keep track of and in touch with their kids in real-time, but no data on the network can be intercepted by unscrupulous individuals.”

Tata’s MOVE leverages relationships with more than 600 mobile network operators, which will also help accelerate Omate’s international expansion outside its home market in China by allowing the company to sell the smartwatch to retailers and other partners as a ‘wearable-as-a-service’, eliminating the need for separate data connectivity agreements with different local MNOs in each country.

“The immense transformational potential of the Internet of Things hasn’t been unlocked yet because the mobile networks which these applications depend on are inherently local,” said Anthony Bartolo, chief product officer at Tata Communications. “Yet, businesses like Omate that want to reach customers worldwide, need truly global, borderless connectivity to power their IoT devices and applications. They can’t be constrained by local MNOs’ roaming policies. Through our partnerships and the ubiquitous network of Tata Communications MOVE – IoT Connect, businesses are able to capture, move and manage information on a global scale, and give people the always-connected digital experiences they crave.”

The Omate x Nanoblock will be available for pre-order in April and will start shipping in June 2018 exclusively in the US and in Europe. Meanwhile, Tata Communications will host a demo of the Omate x Nanoblock on its stand at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

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