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Verizon announced a new Cat M1 IoT solution for water metering technology provider Neptune Technology Group and also conveyed that it will pre-integrate its ThingSpace IoT platform as-a-service within Qualcomm Technologies for the latter’s MDM9206 Category M (Cat M1) LTE modem, at the start of CTIA Super Mobility 2016, Las Vegas. The Cat M1 IoT solution claims to equip Neptune with a robust, scalable and secure connectivity platform to aid water utility companies slash prices and accelerate sustainability efforts. “We’ve leveraged Neptune’s expertise in rugged water utility endpoints and have combined that with Verizon’s Technologies’ technical expertise to deliver a compelling offering. The collaboration has resulted in a long-life AMI network that eliminates the utility’s need to deploy and manage network infrastructure,” conveyed Don Deemer, executive vice president, Neptune Technology Group. A part of the initiatives is to deliver innovative IoT solutions meeting the complex needs of utilities, including reducing development costs, improving integration requirements and reducing time to implementation. The solution will include: # A Category 1 IoT solution on 4G LTE ideal for the connectivity requirements of rural cooperative and municipal electric utilities. # The solution will implement MDM9207-1 LTE modem by Qualcomm Technologies, intended for IoT. # The modem offers built-in security and features like edge processing and reliable connectivity up to 10 Mbps speed with power and throughput optimization, with the chipset also supporting up to 10 years of battery life at a cost-effective rate. # The modem makes it a A Category M1 solution by featuring a purpose-built IoT design for applications such as battery powered water and gas smart metering applications which need lower power consumption and longer range, and reliable connectivity up to 1 Mbps speed at an economic price. # Solutions based on MDM9206 with the ThingSpace IoT platform will be available for OEM integration in early 2017. # Verizon will leverage its Grid Wide Utility solution, including integrated smart meters with Verizon 4G LTE Category 1 and M1 Smart Meter Communications Device, 4G LTE network, security and a range of cloud-based applications. # It will support smart metering, demand response, meter data management, and distribution monitoring and control. # Flexible deployment options combined with other RF communication technology offered in a highly-integrated package slashing costs, design complexity and integration time will also be available. Verizon currently supports more than 3 million utility meters on its network nationwide. “Driving innovation on 4G LTE to deliver a unified, reliable, scalable and secure platform optimized for IoT deployments is core to our strategy,” added Mark Bartolomeo, vice president, IoT Connected Solutions, Verizon. The pre-integration of the Cat M1 LTE modem, is a first, and will utilize 4G LTE network as the gateway for simplifying the process of building, deploying and managing IoT applications customized for a wide-range of use cases. The cost connecting IoT devices to the LTE WAN were high compared to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zwave or ZigBee. Verizon and Qualcomm Technologies, with experience of previous work in embedding LTE chipsets in connected devices, will be able to deploy IoT devices on 4G LTE faster. Through this collaboration, the companies will cut cost of connecting intelligent devices on 4G LTE using Category M1 as the new standard, with security, reliability and reach of LTE. Connectivity to the cloud using ThingSpace on the Verizon global IoT platform will speed up the building and management of applications. The availability of ThingSpace within low power LTE modems will boost development of a digital ecosystem of intelligent connected devices on 4G LTE. Also, the barriers most commonly associated with IoT deployments like firmware management, real-time device diagnostics, device onboarding and data access, will be tackled. More sophisticated apps like device security and sensor data visualization will also be promoted with this launch. “When it comes to the Internet of Things, no single company can go at it alone in order to scale from the millions of devices to the billions of devices needed to create cleaner cities, deliver better healthcare, conserve water and make the digital world work better for consumers and citizens,” said Mike Lanman, senior vice president, Enterprise Products and IoT, Verizon. Verizon has seen its IoT technology with significant traction in its telematics segment, and at the Q2 earnings call, the company revealed that its revenue from IoT grew 25 percent to $205 million (yoy), triggered mainly by strong demand for telematics product, including Hum. |
