Dive Brief:

• Nokia announced it has launched new solutions to help smart cities manage the services they provide.  
• Its solutions are based on three key elements: an IoT operations center, blockchain-based data analytics (dubbed "Sensing as a Service") and a secure mobile virtual network operator (S-MVNO) for public safety agencies.
• The company says its services will enable cities to do a variety of smart functions, such as lighting, video surveillance and environmental sensing.

Dive Insight:

Nokia is the latest technology vendor to enter the smart cities space, joining other big names such as Cisco, Ericsson, Microsoft, Siemens and Verizon. Although Nokia is most well-known for its devices, it also is a major provider of network infrastructure.

While some smart cities service providers solely highlight their buzz-worthy technological aspects, Nokia is prominently featuring what its technology does and specific benefits it can bring to cities. For example, it notes that the IoT framework can support video surveillance and smart parking, while the blockchain-based analytics can detect environmental anomalies such as trash burning or illegal construction. This concept of incorporating solutions to problems instead of just implementing some cool technology is in line with many municipalities pushing for comprehensive smart city plans, as opposed to one-off tech installations.

Nokia's heavy touting of its environmental solutions also makes it different. Many companies prefer to focus more on increasing cities' efficiencies and residents' convenience. But Nokia's smart cities service launch notably cites solutions to a number of environmental issues within cities.