Telenor’s M2M arm has installed new functionality into its modules that will stop Internet of Things applications overloading networks.
The Norway-based operator has teamed up with the Swiss company u-blox, which builds wireless semiconductors and modules, to create a new efficient way of managing IoT networks.
Both companies said the new “Network Friendly Mode” was a way to overcome network issues. They said that typically a cellular modem may make numerous attempts to connect to a network. If there are a large number of modules trying to connect at the same time, such as energy meters reporting findings at midnight, the network may become overloaded.
Telenor said the new mode will be embedded onto all of its u-blox cellular modules. It makes modules connect to cellular networks based on preset and longer time delays, as well as defining a limit to attempts made.Â
Rémi Demerlé, Global Partnerships Director at Telenor Connexion, the Norwegian operator’s M2M wing, commented: “This successful partnership with u-blox ensures an optimal performance of our networks. The new firmware introduced in u-blox’ modules enables devices and applications to communicate in the most intelligent and efficient way, whilst preventing service outages, thereby ensuring a continued reliable service to our M2M customers. This collaboration is also paving the way for a larger adoption of best practices within the M2M and IoT developer community.”
Richard Fry, VP Strategic Partnerships at u-blox, added: “By carefully analysing modem behaviour within their extensive 2G and 3G networks, we were able to define a robust algorithm that provides optimal connectivity, even when large numbers of units are involved.”
Research from Ericsson earlier this year said the number of M2M connections is set to quadruple over the next five years from the current 200 million. It will be 2016 before 3G and 4G LTE connections overtake 2G.
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