Ericsson has used CES to push hard on the Internet of Things, with low-power, wide-area network trials with Verizon, new analytics and software upgrades for the Internet of Things, as well as a smart meters as-a-service solution.
The Swedish vendor will build upon its existing relationship with Verizon with IoT trials dating back to 2014. Ericsson said it would hold specific NB-IoT deployments on the US operator’s live network in a bid to accelerate the pace of commercialising the technology.
Adam Koeppe, Vice President, Network Technology and Planning, Verizon, said: “Verizon’s nationwide LTE network provides an ideal platform for the acceleration of IoT applications that benefit consumers, industry and cities. We’re committed to simplifying IoT and have introduced a developer platform – ThingSpace – and new network advancements that do just that.”
Meanwhile, new analytics from Ericsson will help to sift through the wealth of data that will be produced by the 28 billion connected devices the vendor predicts will be online by 2021.
The vendor said a device-agnostic solution was needed to authenticate access to both SIM-based networks and non-cellular accesses such as Wi-Fi.
Ericsson’s User and IoT Data Analytics will launch by the end of June and consolidates all connected data into a subscriber management system. Built-in analytics could help operators improve efficiencies, monetise the data flow and explore new verticals.
The vendor also announced Networks Software 17A for Massive IoT at this week’s CES in Las Vegas. The software upgrades support NB-IoT, a cellular standard currently being standardised by 3GPP, ahead of the first networks using the technology going live later this year.
The technology will be used to power networks of meters and sensors, with millions of connections per cell site. Ericsson said it reduces module costs by 90 percent and delivers seven time better coverage and a battery life of more than 10 years.
The forthcoming trials with Verizon will use this latest version of Ericsson’s network software technology.
Finally, the vendor announced its smart metering as-a-service solution, placing Ericsson at the centre of a network comprising IT providers, operators and vendors.
Ericsson will be the single point of contact for networks and claimed it would provide more reliable service, more accurate billing and a greater control on costs.
The vendor already helps connect more than 42 million smart meters globally. It currently offers smart metering as a service across Northern Europe.
Marie Fossum Strannegård, Head of Utilities, Ericsson, said: “Increased focus on emission reductions, new business models and operational efficiency is changing the nature of the utilities business and increasing the attractiveness of outsourcing. We can use our expertise acquired in the telecom and IT industries to help utilities cope with a wide variety of challenges.
“On behalf of utilities, we coordinate the provision of IT services, field services and connectivity, acting as a single point of contact. Our managed Smart Metering as a Service offering has been proven in collaboration with several utilities in northern Europe, and we are now ready to make it available globally using our extensive service delivery organisation.”