HCM City, central Lao provinces boost cooperation

Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City Nguyen Thanh Phong received leaders of three central Lao provinces – Savanlakhet, Khammuoane, and Bolykhamsai – on July 18.

At the meeting, Phong said a conference on promoting trade and tourism investment in the Lao localities scheduled for July 19 in the city reflects interests of sides involved in stepping up their practical cooperation.

He said the event is held in the context of the two countries celebrating the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations and 40 years of signing their Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.

Ho Chi Minh City appreciates the Lao President’s first-class labour order and is committed to doing its utmost to foster the two countries’ comprehensive partnership, Phong stated.

On behalf of the Lao provincial leaders, Savanlakhet governor Santiphap Phomvihane thanked assistance from the southern economic hub towards the Lao provinces in preparation for their upcoming trade promotion conference.

The support would contribute to strengthening engagements and friendship among the four localities, he added.

He also lauded activities organised by Ho Chi Minh City in celebration of the two countries’ major events this year.

Forum lets children talk about violence, abuse

Children in the central province of Binh Thuan raised their voice about violence and abuse and were heard by policy-makers at a forum on July 18.

The young participants expressed their hope to be able to grow up in a safe environment.

They got updated about the Child Law, including their rights and duties.

They also learned skills for violence detection and self-defence, in answer to their queries about child abuse and what to do as a victim of violence.

Ngo Van Duy, Vice Director of the Binh Thuan Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, highlighted the Party’s and Government’s great attention and efforts to protect the young generations.

He also talked about serious child abuse cases, which took place recently and provoked public outcries.

The forum sent out the message to the community on building a safe environment free from violence and abuse for children.

Ceremony grants certificates honouring 498 fallen soldiers

A ceremony was held in Hanoi on July 18 to present certificates honouring the service and contributions of 498 fallen soldiers to their family members.

Addressing the event, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said the Party, State and people always bear in mind the great contributions of millions of soldiers and citizens who have sacrificed their lives for national independence and reunification. 

She stressed that the Party, State and people demonstrate the gratitude through policies on preferential treatment to those who rendered services to the nation.

However, a large number of revolutionary contributors have yet to be recognised for preferential treatment due to loss of documents, which is a problem of great concern for the Party, State and people, the NA leader said, noting that there are around 30,000 pending cases.

Minister of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung said more than nine million people have to date been recognised as revolutionary contributors, including 1.2 million war martyrs, 127,000 heroic mothers and 800,000 war invalids.

Among the 498 martyrs honoured on this occasion, 94 died during the anti-French resistance war more than 70 years ago.

Laos celebrates Vietnam-Laos relationship in grand ceremony

The highest leaders of Laos, including Party General Secretary and President  Bounnhang Volachith, Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and National Assembly Chairwoman Pany Yathotou, made their presence at a grand ceremony in Vientiane on July 18 to celebrate the major anniversaries in the Laos-Vietnam relationship.

Laos and Vietnam marked the 40th year of their Treaty of Amity and Cooperation on July 18 and the 55th anniversary of their diplomatic relations on September 5 this year. 

A high-level delegation of Vietnam led by Politburo member and National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong attended the celebration. 

The establishment of diplomatic ties and the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation were vital to the great friendship, fighting alliance and special solidarity between the two nations, Lao Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Volachith said in his speech. 

They also provide a firm foundation and a driving force for the comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and peoples, as well as an important factor to ensure peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world, he said. 

Bounnhang Volachith highlighted the time-honoured relations between the two countries, stressing that the two nations stood shoulder by shoulder and supported each other during the long struggle for national independence, which was the decisive factor in the success of each country’s revolution, and the root of their exemplary special relationship at present. 

He affirmed that under any circumstances, the bilateral relations will always be nurtured and fostered in a practical and effective manner across fields, for the sake of the two peoples. 

The Lao leader expressed the deep gratitude to the Vietnamese Party, State and people for their huge and effective assistance for his country in the past and at present. 

He also congratulated Vietnam on great achievements during its renewal (Doi moi) process, saying that his country considers those as a great source of encouragement and valuable experience for Laos’s national defence and construction.

Addressing the ceremony, Vietnamese National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong said the establishment of diplomatic relationship in 1962 was an important landmark in the bilateral ties, while the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation laid an important political and legal basis for further strengthening the bilateral ties, serving national construction and defence of each country. 

She thanks the Lao Party, State and people for the great support they have given to Vietnam during the past struggles for national liberation, and the current national construction and defence.

The Vietnamese legislative leader called for joint determination and efforts to maintain the exemplary and faithful relationship, which she described as a valuable common asset of the two nations. 

While congratulating Laos on achievements during the 30-year renewal process, Phong expressed her belief that under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, the governance of the Lao Government, and the supervision of the Lao National Assembly, the country will successfully implement the Resolution of the 10th Party Congress and its five-year socio-economic development plan for 2016-2020, thus increasing its position in the region and the world.

The same day, on behalf of the Vietnamese Party and State, Tong Thi Phong presented the Gold Star Order to Lao Politburo and Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, the Ho Chi Minh Order to six members of the Lao Party Politburo, and the Independence Order, first class, to three secretaries of the Lao Party Central Committee, in recognition of their great contributions to the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

VN Junior Swimming Championship wraps up

National Defence Sports Centre 5 triumphed at the National Junior Swimming Championship, which wrapped up at Mỹ Đình National Sports Complex in Hà Nội yesterday.

The team won 21 golds, 13 silvers and seven bronzes. National Defence Sports Centre 4 were the runners-up with 20 golds, 12 silvers and six bronzes. Long An came to third with 17 golds, 13 silvers and nine bronzes.

Trần Hưng Nguyên continued to shine with a gold medal in the boys’ 200m freestyle aged 14-15 in the last day of competition with a time of 1:55.03. With this result, Nguyên beat the old national record of 1:55.33 set by Nguyễn Hữu Kim Sơn of An Giang in May.

Võ Minh Khang of Long An and Đào Khánh Dương of People’s Police took silver and bronze medal.

In the boys’ 200m butterfly aged 14-15, Võ Dư Trương of the National Defence Sports Centre 4 took the lead with a time of 2:10.38.  Trương’s teammate, Trần Quốc Cường and Trần Lê Thanh Nhân of Vĩnh Long finished second and third.

On the women’s side, Tôn Nữ Mỹ Ngọc of Đà Nẵng took gold medal with a time of 2:34.41. Nguyễn Thị Thanh Thảo of Đồng Nai and Huỳnh Thị Ngọc Thy of Long An were the runners-up.

In the boys’ 50m backstroke aged 11 and under, Nguyễn Quang Thuấn of the Centre 4 defeated Ngô Bá Hùng of Quảng Ninh and Lê Mạnh Cường of Hà Nội to seize his gold medal in 33.92secs. Thuấn also beat his own record of 34.10secs set in the same event held last year.

In the boys’ 50m backstroke aged 12-13, Võ Trí Trung of An Giang triumphed in 30.53secs, followed by Nguyễn Gia Khang and Trương Việt Vũ of HCM City.

In the girls’ 50m freestyle aged 11 and under, Nguyễn Thị Mỹ Xuyên of the Centre 4 beat her old record of 30.13secs with a new time of 28.75secs.

The five-day tournament attracted the participation of 220 athletes from 24 teams across the country.

Minh wins stage of Return to Trường Sơn Cycling Tournament

Lê Nguyệt Minh of VUS-HCM City won the third stage of the Return to Trường Sơn Cycling Tournament yesterday.

With a strong sprint in last metres, Minh won the 145km stage from Thanh Hóa to Hà Tĩnh Province with a time of 3:47.49 and an everage speed of 42.402kmh.

Minh’s teammate Lê Văn Duẩn and Nguyễn Tấn Hoài of Domesco Pharmacy Đồng Tháp were the runners-up.

Minh also won the event’s green jersey as the best sprinter.

Although Nguyễn Cường Khang of the HCM City Youth squad didn’t rank in top three, he still holds the yellow jersey for the best overall time after three stages.

Today, 70 cyclists from 12 teams will compete in the fourth stage lasting 150km from Hà Tĩnh to Đồng Hới City.

National students vovinam event opens

The National Students Vovinam Championships, Nestlé Milo Cup, started in the central province of Thanh Hóa yesterday.

The event includes 24 teams from across the nation, including Bắc Ninh, Bến Tre, Bình Dương, Quảng Ngãi, Ninh Bình and Nghệ An.

The event, which was organised for the first time for students, aims to develop Vietnamese traditional martial arts across the country.

At present, vovinam is played in more than 60 countries in the world. Vovinam is practiced with and without weapons, and it includes training of the body as well as the mind. It uses force and reaction of the opponent.

In other news, the final round of the 2017 Phù Đổng Football League is also taking place in Thanh Hóa Province, attracting 32 teams from elementary and secondary schools from around the country. It will end on July 23.

This year, besides prizes for winning teams, five elementary school players who meet certain requirements such as determination, respect, bravery and humility will be chosen for a two- day training stint in Barcelona, Spain in August.

Hòa Bình Hydropower plant to discharge water as high water level at reservoir

The Central Steering Committee on Disaster Prevention has sent an urgent letter to Hòa Bình Hydropower Company asking them to discharge water to decrease the high water level.

The committee requested the company begin the discharge water through the spillway at 6pm on Tuesday.

At 6am on Wednesday, the second sluice gate was to be opened to discharge water due to the heavy rain occurred continuously over the last days and the impact of the storm Talas.

At 10am on Tuesday, the water level of Hòa Bình reservoir stood at 105.84 metres, meanwhile, the water flow to the lake was 3,060 cubic metres per second.

The company was also required to ensure the normal operation of eight turbines.

Depending on the development of the weather, more spillways will be opened to discharge water.

The company has to closely monitor the amount of water in the reservoir and dam to report to the authorised agency.

Decision to discharge the Hòa Bình hydropower plant reservoir was also sent to the steering committee for natural disaster prevention and search and rescue in localities including Hòa Bình, Phú Thọ, Vĩnh Phúc, Hà Nội, Hưng Yên, Hà Nam, Nam Định, Thái Bình, Bắc Ninh, Hải Dương and Hải Phòng to actively implement safety measures for constructions at downstream.

According to committee’s report, the storm has caused much damage to people and property.

Sick to his stomach

It was a case of indigestion that even doctors couldn’t stomach.

Last weekend, a patient was brought to the emergency ward of the Bạch Mai Hospital in Hà Nội with a “crazy expression” on his face and the added symptoms of “delirium and bloating.”

The crazy part was quickly diagnosed. The patent had been brought in from the National Psychiatric Hospital No 1.

The X-ray that was taken subsequently revealed the reasons for both the crazy expression and bloating: there were many objects of different shapes in the stomach, including something sharp that was piercing the intestines. The patient was rushed into the operation theatre for immediate surgery.

In a three-hour operation, the doctors removed a number of objects from the patient’s abdomen including a leaf, a ballpoint pen, a plastic spoon, plastic bag, some candy covers, nails and capsules.

This very rare case was caused by drug addiction, doctors said.

Overdosing on drugs like methamphetamine and amphethamine can affect the brain and make a person unaware of his/her actions, doctors said.

In this particular case, two days after the surgery, the patient was in sound health, physically. It was not known, however, if and when he would come to his senses. 

It’s your call

A woman called the capital city’s 115 Emergency Centre at around 3.40am on July 9 in panic after a relative fell unconscious.

She confirmed and reconfirmed her address several times, and was told that an ambulance would arrive at the house in a few minutes.

After more than a few minutes, when she called back to check what was happening, no one picked up the phone. To make sure one particular number was not being responded too, family members called from different phones, but there was still no response. A full 25 minutes later, the patient was rushed to a hospital in another car.

If such irresponsibility was inexcusable, the excuses that the centre came up with were inexplicable.

Doctor Nguyễn Thành, director of Hà Nội’s 115 Emergency Centre, said an emergency team had been sent to give first aid, but they went to the wrong address and returned without finding any patient there.

Curiously, they did not report this “false alarm.”  Why, we might never know. And while how they got the address so badly wrong was not explained, there was an explanation for not picking up the phone – the fact that the centre receives many fake calls.

Since we can’t fake a twist here, dear reader, it’s your call.

Khanh Hoa provides training for more than 4,200 fishermen

The central province of Khanh Hoa will allocate 8.7 billion VND (382,821 USD) to provide vocational training for more than 4,200 fishermen by 2020.

The province’s fishery sector will focus on training fishermen working on ships with capacity of 90 CV and above.

Local fishermen will receive free training. Half of them are currently working on ships with capacity of 400 CV and more, which were built using Government incentives to support fishery development.

According to the provincial People’s Committee, the training aims to provide knowledge on efficient fishing to fishermen, raise efficiency while following State regulations on protecting seafood resources and ensure safety for fishermen and their vessels.

In 2010-2015, Khanh Hoa province earmarked nearly six billion VND (264,014 USD) to provide training and issue certificates for more than 3,200 local fishermen.

Heroic mothers, war martyrs’ relatives, invalids to get gifts

President Tran Dai Quang has signed a decision to present gifts to Vietnamese heroic mothers, war martyrs’ relatives and invalids on the occasion of 70th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day (July 27).

Apart from their monthly allowances from the Government, the beneficiaries will receive gifts worth 400,000 VND (17.6 USD) and 200,000 VND (8.8 USD).

Vietnam has organised various activities to celebrate the day, including a cycling tournament entitled “Return to Truong Son”, incense offering, gift presenting, a film week and exhibitions, among others.

According to Minister of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung, more than nine million people have to date been recognised as revolutionary contributors, including 1.2 million war martyrs, 127,000 heroic mothers and 800,000 war invalids.

Vietnam reiterates resolve to achieve global SDGs

The Government of Vietnam issued a National Action Plan to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in May this year, which demonstrates Vietnam's determination and responsibility for achieving the global SDGs, a Vietnamese official said.

Addressing the High Level Segment of the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) of the UN ECOSOC 2017 in New York on July 17, Vice-Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen The Phuong said the country has also reviewed 232 indicators established by the Statistical Commission to assess their feasibility in the global monitoring and evaluation framework. The results show that 129 indicators are feasible to the country. 

“We are sparing no efforts in order to issue our own statistic indicators in 2018,” the deputy minister said, adding that Vietnam is now also developing a voluntary national report for the review at HLPF 2018.

The official stressed that Vietnam always considers sustainable development as a common goal in the country's development strategy, and remains committed to successfully implement the SDGs. 

According to him, Vietnam’s achievements in socio – economic development after more than three decades of Doi Moi, including the fruitful implementation of many MDGs, created solid foundation for realising SDGs. 

He added that however, the implementation of SDGs in the country faces significant challenges, including the lack of financial resources due to significantly decreased ODA and limited monitoring and evaluating capacity, especially statistical data.

Therefore, in addition to national endeavors, Vietnam needs international support, in both financial and non - financial terms, in such areas as employment, health, education, economic development, environment and reduction of inequality in income and living conditions, Phuong said. 

At global level, Vietnam believes that maintaining peace and security on the basis of respect for international law, intensifying development cooperation among nations, strengthening global partnerships, incorporating multi-stakeholder participation, mobilising and sharing knowledge, experience, technology and finance are crucial to successfully implement the 2030 Agenda and leave no one behind, the Vietnam representative told the session.

Website launched to raise funds for charity

A fundraising website at www.picture4charity.com was launched last week by travel blogger Dinh Hang, the young author of the famous autobiography titled “Too young to die – A journey to America” in collaboration with a group of local photographers.

In a statement sent to the Daily last week, the organizer said the website is aimed at raising funds for charity by selling tourism-themed photos donated by photography-lovers with generous hearts.

Those photos will be sold at prices ranging from VND200,000 to VND5 million and all proceeds from the photo sales will go to open homes, shelters, orphanages and those in difficult circumstances and in need of support.

During the initial phase, the project aims to give financial support to One Body Village, a non-profit organization which is active in the country with a mandate to provide shelter, health care and educational assistance for children affected by sexual abuse. Established in 2008, the organization is currently home to 30 young girls aged between 3 and 21 that have been rescued from violent sexual abuse cases.  

All money raised from the photo sales during the first three months since the website was put into operation will be used to repair the shelter which has deteriorated after ten years of operation.

Vietnam’s pho, summer rolls among world’s best foods - CNN poll

"What are the world’s best foods?" CNN asked its readers on a Facebook poll.

More than 35,000 replied and came up with their 50 top picks, and Vietnam's noodle soup pho and fresh summer rolls were among them.

Pho, which made number 20 on the list, is basically a bowl of soft rice noodles in a broth carefully prepared with different herbs and served with beef or chicken, shallots, and chili and lemon to taste. 

“But it’s greater than the sum of its parts - fragrant, tasty and balanced,” CNN said.

The soup is considered a national dish and can be found all over Vietnam, although it is more of a Hanoi specialty and may taste a little bit sweeter and thicker in Saigon.

US news site Business Insider last October also published a bucket list of 50 travel experiences you have to try in Asia, and one of them is indulging in a steaming bowl of pho in Hanoi.

The soup is considered one of the most nutritious dishes in Vietnam, and possibly its best hangover cure. 

It is loved by locals and tourist alike, so much so that there were heated online debates last year about how it should be served. Maybe it’s time to try it for yourself. Just say “fuh” and you will be served.

While pho is more of a main dish and a common breakfast choice, goi cuon, or fresh summer rolls, are a popular snack in the south. Rice paper wrapped around pork, shrimp, herbs and rice vermicelli, and best served after being dunked in sweet and sour fish sauce or a thick peanut dip.

Although the dish finished at the bottom of the list, it has been named the number one appetizer for a full-course party, and featured on the first episode of Snoop Dog’s cooking show Potluck Dinner Party which first aired last November. A video of him making the rolls went viral on Facebook in just a couple days.

CNN readers called it “meat light” and the very definition of “moreish”.

The top 50 was dominated by Asian dishes, besides Italian lasagna and pizza, Mexican fajitas and tacos, French croissant, Turkish kebab and American ice-cream and cheeseburgers.

If you believe in the list, Southeast Asia looks like the perfect place for the delicious vacation of a lifetime. The most votes went to two Indonesian dishes - rendang, which is a spicy, gingery beef dish, and nasi goreng, a fried rice dish. Seven Thai dishes made the top 50, while Malaysian and Singaporean were not forgotten either.

Patient phone survey planned

The Ministry of Health’s Medical Examination and Treatment Department and Vietnam Initiatives at Indiana University, will pilot a patient satisfaction telephone survey. Similar surveys conducted previously were done online.

In recent years, the ministry has surveyed inpatient and outpatient satisfaction every three months, helping hospitals to find weaknesses and improve their quality.

In 2016, the ministry installed software to survey patient satisfaction online. From December 2016 to March 2017, 61 out of 63 health departments nationwide conducted the survey.

The health ministry collected national statistics of over 56,000 survey notes from inpatients and another 48,000 from outpatients.

“The results show that average patient satisfaction closely reflects hospitals’ quality. Patient satisfaction at provincial level is higher than at district level. Based on the surveys, hospitals received important comments to help improve their quality,” said Nguyễn Trọng Khoa, deputy head of Medical Examination and Treatment Department.

An independent survey conducted by the Health Strategy and Policy Institute revealed positive changes in the awareness and commitment of hospital leaders, as well as in attitudes and communication skill of medical workers.

Some 71 per cent of patients think medical workers have friendly attitudes. About 61 per cent think information about examination and treatment is improving, with reduced waiting times. Facilities and hygiene condition of check-up areas have been also improved. Almost 88 per cent of patients expressed satisfaction with the medical examination at ten surveyed hospitals. 

Two kids suffer lead poisoning

Doctors at the Paediatrics Department of Hà Nội’s Bạch Mai Hospital are treating two children suffering from acute lead poisoning due to consumption of a traditional medicine called thuốc cam of unknown origin.

A six-month-old baby from northern Thái Bình Province was admitted to hospital on June 21 with serious bacterial contamination, respiratory system failure, convulsions and brain damage. The parents were giving him thuốc cam to treat dermatitis for 24 days before he was admitted to hospital.

Tests showed that the lead level in his blood had reached 105 microgram per 100ml, far higher than the permitted level.

The second patient, a seven-month-old baby from Hà Nội’s Hoài Đức District, was suffering from damage to his lungs, liver and digestive system after taking thuốc cam bought from a herbalist at the market.

The infants are in stable condition, but the long-term impact on their health has not been determined, according to doctors.

Doctor Nguyễn Thành Nam, head of the Paediatrics Department at Bạch Mai Hospital, warned parents against buying the herbal medicine without clear indications of origin and business licence. If children take the medicine and develop abnormal symptoms, parents are advised to take them to reputable medical facilities.

Literally translated as "orange medicine", thuốc cam is a traditional powder believed to have  detoxification properties that can supposedly cure mouth sores, furry tongue, constipation, and spur growth in children. 

Avoiding rainy season disease

The Department of Preventive Medicine under the Ministry of Health has proposed measures to prevent diseases during the rainy season.

According to the department, when heavy rains and floods affect the country in July, it is the peak time for epidemic diseases such as petechial fever, malaria, typhoid, diarrhea, flu and red eyes. Microorganism, dust, garbage and waste overflow and cause pollution and diseases.

To prevent diseases during rainy season, people need to select and process food in a hygienic way, wash hands with soaps before and after processing food and going to the toilet.

People should wash daily, use mosquito nets even in daylight, wash and dry toes after touching flood or contaminated water.

People are also advised to kill larva and mosquitoes by covering water containers, wash containers and wells, and using chemicals to sterilise domestic water after floods recede.

Anticipated ’Girl From Yesterday’ movie debuts July 21

The long anticipated Vietnamese movie Cô Gái Đến Từ Hôm Qua (The Girl From Yesterday) will hit cinemas on July 21, after soldout sneak previews in recent days.

The movie is adapted from the story of best-selling author Nguyễn Nhật Ánh, famous for his popular books for young adult readers, and directed by Phan Gia Nhật Linh.

Due to increasing demand, more sneak preview tickets have been made available for July 19 and 20.

Directed by Phan Gia Nhật Linh, who directed the 2015 hit Em Là Bà Nội Của Anh (Sweet 20), The Girl From Yesterday features stories of high school crushes and childhood innocence.

“I like the clever, creative storytelling in the movie, which helps to create emotions,” said director Charlie Nguyễn.

Director Hồng Ánh said, “Watching The Girl From Yesterday, one is reminded of one’s days as a student, before Internet was available in Việt Nam.”

The movie also takes audiences back to their childhood with hit music like Vĩnh Biệt Mùa Hè (Goodbye Summertime), Tình Thơ (Romantic Love), Cây Đàn Sinh Viên (Nostalgic Guitar).

Before The Girl From Yesterday, the screen adaptation of Nguyễn Nhật Ánh’s Tôi Thấy Hoa Vàng Trên Cỏ Xanh (Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass) was also a big success with several Vietnamese and international awards, Best Film at the TIFF Kids International Film Festival 2016, the Golden Lotus award at the 19th Việt Nam Film Festival and the Golden Kite award at the Việt Nam Film Festival 2015.

The Girl From Yesterday is being screened at the 21st Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival in South Korea, from July 13 to 23. 

Ericsson launches network services to support IoT devices     

As the first commercial Internet of Things (IoT) networks are being introduced, Ericsson has complemented its cellular IoT software and IoT accelerator offerings with a complete set of network services.

These services will enable service providers to efficiently address the deployment and operation of the massive number of IoT devices being introduced to the GSM-based LTE (Long-Term Evolution) networks.

To be used for Cat-M1 (also called LTE-M) and Narrow Band IoT (NB-IoT) technologies, these services include IoT network design and optimisation, deployment, operation and management, and are supported by the recently expanded Support Services offering.

“We anticipate IoT devices will surpass mobile phones as the largest category of connected devices as early as 2018. According to Ericsson’s latest Mobility Report, there will be 18 billion connected IoT devices in 2022. This massive uptake requires a different approach to network planning, design, operations and capabilities than traditional mobile broadband networks,” Peter Laurin, head of Business Area Managed Services, Ericsson, said.

Ericsson is also introducing new IoT software features, such as Voice over LTE (VoLTE) support for Cat-M1. This will enable operators to explore new-use cases in which it can be advantageous for IoT devices to support voice services, opening up opportunities to expand enterprise services to areas such as security alarm panels, remote first-aid kits, wearables, digital locks, disposable security garments, and other types of IoT-enabled applications and services.