RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – AT&T is taking a step toward making the Internet of Things even more functional, launching a wireless network across the US designed to link IoT devices for $5 a year.

It’s called the NarrowBand Internet of Things, or NB-IOT.

AT&T thus joins T-Mobile, which launched a similar offering last summer. The network giants are trying to capitalize on an IoT market that is seeing as connecting billions of devices already, according to research firm Gartner, and generating similar large numbers of revenue for providers. Gartner says IoT will help drive information technology spending up more than 3 percent from 2018 to $3.8 trillion this year.

A graphic from AT&T spells out expected uses for the network:

AT&T diagrams its NB-IoT network

“The upgrades at our 4G LTE cell sites across the country are now complete and our NB-IoT network is open for business,” wrote Chris Penrose, AT&T’s top IoT executive, in a blog post. “This new network will help unlock the next wave of IoT connections. And it’s a big step toward massive IoT and 5G.”

5G is the forthcoming next generation wireless service that promises broadband speeds. Verizon already has a 5G network rolling out with 5G phones capable of rotating to current 4G networks when 5G isn’t available. AT&T is trialing 5G in the Triangle and several other metro areas. It reported just days ago achieve 2 gigabit speeds in trials.

The IoT network runs on current 4G LTE technology.

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Penrose said the new IoT offering operates “within licensed spectrum and provide carrier-grade security.” It joins an earlier LTE-M offering for IoT.

“The devices that ride on these networks can be configured to go dormant when not in use. That opens a host of uses that don’t need constant cellular connections,” Penrose added.

“Think of things like utility meters, leak detectors, street lights and smart appliances.”

He added that the new network is “optimized for stationary use cases with basic data requirements like simple sensors, on-off buttons, smart agriculture, smoke detectors, door locks and industrial monitors.”

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The LTE-M netowrk is more robust with “greater bandwidth” and is geared to support things such as “pet trackers, asset management, medical wearables, utility meters and more.”

These networks also don’t require setting up WiFi or Bluetooth, according to Penrose.

“The big advantages are cost and energy savings. Imagine not needing to replace or charge batteries for up to 10 years and modules the size of a penny,” he added.

Costs include $5 modules to connect devices and $5 per year fee for each device.

“5G will no doubt enable smart cities, connected agriculture, water management, construction, you name it, in exciting ways we have not seen,”Penrose wrote. “But there’s no need for businesses to wait for 5G to move forward with an IoT solution.”

https://wraltechwire.com/2019/04/12/fcc-to-hold-big-5g-auction-spend-20b-for-rural-internet/