Sierra Wireless, vendor of fully integrated device-to-cloud solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT), announced Monday the world’s first ‘plug-and-play’ cellular modules and routers with pre-integrated global connectivity, IoT operation management and security. This new technology will reduce the time to launch IoT solutions, streamline operations and enable business model flexibility, thereby accelerating the global IoT economy.
With built-in security from device, through the mobile network, to the cloud, Sierra Wireless’ innovative technology allows users to remotely provision and change connectivity providers over the air without ever physically accessing their devices. This reduces risk and gives companies the flexibility to develop and scale IoT applications and services over time and around the world.
Sierra Wireless is piloting the fully integrated solution with select customers, and it will be available for large scale deployments in the second half of 2017 in select embedded module and router products. These devices come pre-integrated with Smart SIM connectivity, the latest eUICC remote provisioning technology and the AirVantage IoT Platform for application enablement—providing the IoT infrastructure needed to create, connect and manage IoT solutions.
These cellular modules and routers enable customers to select a single pre-certified solution to instantaneously connect and remotely manage a fleet of IoT products and services across the globe, and over the lifetime of the deployment. This is a vast improvement to the prevailing practice of procuring devices, then sourcing multiple connectivity subscriptions and SIM cards for global coverage, while integrating disparate provisioning and management platforms.
“The complexity of deploying IoT solutions is the biggest challenge for businesses today,” said Philippe Guillemette, CTO, Sierra Wireless. “Our new technology is much more than a SIM in a device, it’s an industry breakthrough that truly simplifies the IoT ecosystem. Our customers can focus on transforming their business and rely on Sierra Wireless to securely connect, monitor and collect data from their devices, at the right time, with the right SLA, and at the right cost.”
“Sierra Wireless’ long track record and leadership experience in IoT gives them unique insight into the many hurdles businesses must overcome to bring their connected products to market,” said Dan Shey, Managing Director and Vice President, B2B, ABI Research. “Having both connectivity management and device management on a single platform is a significant advantage that will allow users to leverage data from their devices and the network to drive their business. Sierra Wireless is also bringing the flexibility to access global MNOs over the air, which is a key factor in enabling the global IoT economy.”
“Nube uses Sierra Wireless’ device to cloud solution for our gas monitoring solution throughout Latin America, which helped us get to market faster than expected and better manage our devices in the field,” said Chris Gnanakone, CEO and Founder of Nube. “Now, with the integration of the SIM and subscription directly into the module, this will further streamline our manufacturing, reduce the total cost of our device and make our IoT operations even more efficient.”
Telstra, Sierra Wireless, Landis+Gyr and Altair also announced Monday a significant milestone in accelerating the IoT. Telstra is the first to complete network software deployment nationally to enable one of the world’s largest Category M1 (Cat-M1) IoT footprints and has commenced localised Cat-M1 trials in Australia. Sierra Wireless AirPrime modules, based on the Altair ALT-1210 LTE platform, will be the first trial Cat-M1 device to be deployed on Telstra’s network, and Landis+Gyr will provide the first Cat-M1 smart meters to be trialed.
Telstra’s Cat-M1 network will connect a variety of new and existing IoT solutions and services including wearables, water meters, agri-sensors, smart appliances, asset monitoring, and industrial automation. Cat-M1 technology enables lower cost devices, greater breadth and depth of coverage, and up to 10 years of battery life for many use cases, while leveraging the secure existing LTE infrastructure.
