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Deutsche Telekom is pursuing partnerships in the US, UK and the Netherlands in a bid to expand its smart home platform against rivals such as Samsung, LG and Apple.

Qivicon, launched in Germany last year, is an open smart home platform that works with any broadband connection to unify smart home devices from companies in different sectors.

The platform, developed by Sumitomo Electric Networks, allows users to control household devices from partner companies on their smartphones, tablets or PCs, both at home and on the go.

A spokesperson for the Deutsche Telekom told CBR: "It’s currently available in Germany, so any new partners who join will be marketing their smart home solutions to the German market… and already in place on the QIVICON partner programme for any international roll-out."

She added that there is no indication for when the smart home platform would be available in the UK and US.

The German company claims that more than 32 partners including Belkin, Miele and EnBW and eQ-3 are already collaborating to provide smart products in the energy, automotive and healthcare sectors.

The latest partnerships include cleaning technology provider Alfred Kärcher and Vattenfall, a power utility group.