Huawei wants to make Cambridge UK's IoT innovation hub

published 23 September 2014

Huawei has snapped up Cambridge-based Internet of Things (IoT) specialist Neul for $25 million.

The company makes technology that allows small, low power devices to be connected to cloud servers, as well as management tools for said items and access points for them to wireless networks.

Its technology has already been put to use in IoT network trials in Milton Keynes, and has also been included in Ofcom's 2013 "white space" wireless technology project. Its aim was to repurpose gaps in frequency bands used to broadcast TV services for use by wireless devices.

According to a report on Business Weekly over the weekend, the deal also looks set to pave the way for the Chinese networking vendor to establish an IoT innovation hub in Cambridge.

A source speaking to the publication said: "Huawei has very big plans for the Internet of Things and for Cambridge and Neul will be the centre of that strategy.

"It's very good news for Cambridge and the UK that such a big player is coming to join the IoT ecosystem. It is expected that Neul will be hiring quite aggressively to turn Huawei's vision to reality."

Speaking to Business Weekly, a Huawei spokesperson added: "Huawei is delighted to have acquired Neul and its groundbreaking innovations in the Internet of Things.

"Huawei has no doubt that the IoT market offers huge scope to expand and to deliver important new services and solutions to our customers," they added.

Caroline Donnelly is the news and analysis editor of IT Pro and its sister site Cloud Pro, and covers general news, as well as the storage, security, public sector, cloud and Microsoft beats. Caroline has been a member of the IT Pro/Cloud Pro team since March 2012, and has previously worked as a reporter at several B2B publications, including UK channel magazine CRN, and as features writer for local weekly newspaper, The Slough and Windsor Observer. She studied Medical Biochemistry at the University of Leicester and completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Magazine Journalism at PMA Training in 2006.

Get the ITPro daily newsletter