There is no shortage of excitement surrounding IoT at MWC Shanghai 2019. As we have seen over the last few years, much of the speculation surrounding IoT, particularly Cellular IoT, has become a reality.
As NB-IoT and eMTC networks are growing across Asian markets, there is a noticeable increase in use cases connecting IoT devices from around the globe.
This year, there will be over 110 IoT exhibitors, giving us an insight into the development and direction of new IoT use cases. As the ecosystem grows, we are seeing an ever-strengthening foundation for new devices to assist industrial and consumer insights.
Thinking Ahead
With new growth, comes new questions from developers of IoT devices. How do we develop devices? How do we implement them? What is the balance between enhancing an experience over collecting personal information?
Smarter devices and their adaptability will define future generations of Cellular IoT growth.
In order to ensure the exponential growth of personal and enterprise IoT use cases, we as an industry need to be aware of our customers’ needs. Offering the ability to enjoy services without compromising on privacy, will help for more wide-spread IoT device implementations.
Intelligent Connectivity
Asia is leading in the development of use cases for practical Cellular IoT implementations such as meters, vehicle telematics, wearables, and trackers. As an example, China’s public safety already relies on the deployment of cameras and connected devices across their major cities.
With a move towards smarter, cleaner, and safer mobility, Asia holds the potential to drive connected IoT devices into the billions.
China’s public and private sectors have put a new emphasis on intelligent connectivity. IoT on the Edge has gone from being a collective of helpful tools to an intuitive network of connected smart devices. China has traditionally relied on 2G connectivity but has been bolstering its NB-IoT networks and testing 5G in selected regions. With the potential for hundreds of millions of customers, we are prepared for the era of widespread 5G- IoT.
For those firms looking to sell to the Asian market, in addition to global markets, low-power and wide-range connectivity are vital to their future development.
Better Support
IoT is evolving. As we see greater activation of IoT-focused cellular networks, developing for them has never been more practical.
IoT does not involve a single device controlled by a single user. Cellular IoT is designed for millions, and potentially billions of devices. These range from simple sensors, to complicated edge processing systems. Each IoT device has a unique function and purpose.
Cellular connectivity is seamless with no end user setup. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are short-range options with potentially frustrating device setup. Offering instant connectivity on a large scale, Cellular IoT is more practical when connecting hundreds of lightbulbs, shipping pallets, or meters.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that Cellular IoT has made enormous strides in 2019. With China’s NB-IoT network growing daily, alongside global Cellular IoT accessibility, there is no stopping this forward motion.
As we foresaw in 2017, cost, low-power, size, and security are at the heart of a practical IoT growth. Today’s developers are realizing that Cellular IoT is the only option for connected devices, for the home, M2M, or global logistics.
If you’d like to discuss how Sony Altair can allow you to realize your devices’ Cellular IoT potential at MWC Shanghai 2019, book a meeting.