Vodafone hopes to help the aviation sector improve the security and reliability of its supply chain using blockchain-based decentralised Web3 technology from Aventus.

Vodafone’s DAB digital asset broker business and Aventus will use their collective strengths to help more businesses and partners take advantage of Web3’s secure blockchain technologies when trading and exchanging data electronically.

With access to more than 160 million connections worldwide, Vodafone DAB enables customers to do this at scale across multiple geographical regions.

Initially, Vodafone DAB and Aventus aim to help the aviation sector improve the security and reliability of its supply chain. They are developing a way to equip cargo tracking pods with blockchain-enabled SIM cards connected to the DAB platform.

Around five to ten per cent of cargo pods go missing annually, costing the industry about $400m, and this aims to reduce these losses. It builds on Aventus’ existing relationships at Heathrow Airport where its blockchain technology is used to manage aircraft unit load devices for tracking luggage, freight and mail.

“Through our strategic partnership with Aventus, we can help businesses and third-party providers securely adopt and benefit from Web3 services through the Vodafone DAB platform,” said Jorge Bento, CEO of Vodafone DAB. “Addressing the needs of the airlines is a start, and we look forward to exploring many other opportunities with Aventus.”

Aventus offers businesses ways to incorporate IoT and secure enterprise-grade and trusted public blockchains, which provide a digital record or ledger of online transactions. As a first step, the two companies will establish a bridge between Vodafone DAB and the Aventus network, which connects to the wider blockchain ecosystem via the Polkadot platform.

“We are excited to be partnering with Vodafone DAB,” said Alan Vey, CEO of Aventus. “Combining blockchain, IoT and Web3 has the potential to overhaul the way businesses operate and interact with their customers, bringing huge efficiencies and benefits. Those willing to understand and leverage it today have the unique opportunity to shape tomorrow’s digital landscape.”

By connecting to the Aventus network, business customers and partners of Vodafone DAB can access and interoperate with many trusted public blockchains in a controlled and secure way using the DAB IoT identity passport. Any trusted device connected to Vodafone DAB is assigned a unique identity passport and then, using secure links, is automatically allowed to trade data and money from different organisations and ecosystems, such as an electric vehicle securely transacting with a charging point.

Vodafone DAB, which became a separate standalone business in May this year, will also join the Aventus network as a validator, helping secure the network and contributing to its decentralisation. Both companies believe interoperability is key to realising the potential of blockchain technology. Aventus onboards enterprises to Web3, enabling them to generate revenue streams, improve operational efficiencies and future-proof their businesses. It works with each enterprise to scope out potential use cases