Berg Insight, the leading IoT market research provider, today released a new research paper covering real-time transportation visibility platforms.

Many companies today offer various types of visibility functionality for the transport sector. Players active in this space range from niche visibility providers and more general transport management system providers, through broader supply chain and logistics software vendors, to providers of fully integrated business management IT solutions such as enterprise resource planning systems.

“Key players in this market include Project44, FourKites and Shippeo which are all focused on visibility platforms specifically”, said Rickard Andersson, Principal Analyst, Berg Insight.

He adds that Project44 and FourKites are both US-based companies active on the global market, while Shippeo is based in France.

“These companies all have extensive partner ecosystems, ranging from ELD and telematics companies to TMS, WMS and ERP system vendors as well as consulting firms and system integrators”, continued Mr. Andersson.

Project44 alone has more than 1,400 telematics integrations and 80 TMS/ERP integrations. FourKites also works with various partner companies having hundreds of enterprise technology offerings including ERP, TMS, WMS, dispatch and other supply chain technologies. Shippeo’s multimodal visibility network in turn integrates with more than 1,000 TMS, telematics and ELD systems.

“In addition to Project44, FourKites and Shippeo which have a specific focus on visibility platforms, other major players in this space include Transporeon and Descartes which are also key TMS providers”, said Mr. Andersson.

He adds that Trimble-owned Transporeon extended its platform for transportation logistics with the addition of Sixfold’s real-time visibility technology, while Descartes acquired MacroPoint which is one of the largest supply chain visibility networks.

Mr. Andersson concluded:

“The transport management and visibility markets are expected to continue to amalgamate in the coming years through continued M&A activities and in-house development efforts aimed at achieving true end-to-end supply chain visibility.”

The post Real-time transportation visibility platforms become popular appeared first on IoT Business News.

The Internet of Things (IoT for short) is the collective reference for a network of interconnected devices that work to communicate and exchange data with one another across the Internet. It is not an understatement to say that the rapid advancement of IoT has completely revolutionized many aspects of life, from wearable devices to smart homes to healthcare to industrial automation and more, affecting both commercial and personal activity.

With this surge in connectivity comes an accompanying escalation of cyber threats including spear phishing, ransomware, and more personal online blackmail and sextortion. To combat these threats, it is vital to understand them in detail, which leads to a greater understanding of how to prevent and respond to them with the help of advanced digital forensics.

Understanding IoT-Specific Threats

Device Vulnerabilities

IoT devices will very often possess limited memory and processing power, which leads to an inadequacy of security features. This makes such devices an easy target for hackers who can attack weak passwords and outdated firmware. Once they are compromised, your devices can be used to collect large amounts of sensitive information.

Lack Of Standardization

The IoT ecosystem encapsulates a wide range of devices from a wide range of manufacturers, each with its own sets and standards of security protocols. Because of this lack of standardization across the spectrum, a number of inconsistencies in security measures will be present that attackers can work to exploit.

Data Privacy Concerns

IoT devices inherently collect and transmit large amounts of data, which can be personal and sensitive, especially in the case of consumer IoT or smart home devices. If any of this data gets intercepted by unauthorized parties, it can be used for purposes like sextortion or blackmail. This can be common in the realms of wearable health devices and smart cameras.

Network Security Gaps

IoT devices are usually connected to much larger networks, and the fact is that even a single compromised device within a network can provide access for attackers to perform a much wider infiltration.

Prevention Measures

So, what can be done to mitigate the above-listed risks that are so heavily associated with IoT devices? Several steps can be taken to best protect a device/network.

Strengthen Device Security

The first thing to do is make sure that all of your IoT devices are regularly updated to their latest firmware versions including any relevant security patches. Manufacturers are diligent in providing timely updates, but these can only be effective if users apply them as soon as they become available. In addition, creating stronger, more unique passwords for devices, as well as multi-factor authentication, is always a recommended step. Always avoid default, ‘easy’ passwords.

Implement Enhanced Network Security

It can be immensely helpful to segregate IoT devices from critical networks, using network segmentation protocols. Doing this can limit the potential impact of a single compromised device and save lots of sensitive information from being accessed.

Implement Comprehensive Monitoring

The use of intrusion detection and prevention systems (known as IDPS) to continuously monitor an IoT network for unusual activity is highly recommended. The sooner an anomaly is detected, the more prompt a response can be and the less potential damage can be done.

Introduce Robust Data Privacy Measures

Savvy users can adopt a practice of data minimization by only collecting the most necessary amounts of data and avoiding the unnecessary storing of sensitive information on IoT devices. Going through a device’s access controls to tailor preferences and commands can ensure that all data stored on IoT devices is protected and encrypted, making it much more difficult for that data to be misused in the event of an attack.

The post The Intersection of IoT and Cybersecurity: Preventing Blackmail and Sextortion appeared first on IoT Business News.

According to a new market research report by Meticulous Research®, the satellite IoT market is projected to reach $2.48 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 18.2% from 2024 to 2031.

Satellite IoT services are used for satellite communication networks to connect terrestrial IoT sensors and IoT end nodes to a server. Satellite IoT communication operates on different frequency bands, such as the L band, Ku band, and Ka band. These services have a wide range of applications, such as weather forecasting, equipment tracking, remote monitoring, television signal, fleet management, aircraft safety systems and telematics, internet communications, and the global positioning system. Satellite IoT services are used in several sectors, such as agriculture, construction, utilities, oil & gas, military & defense, transportation & logistics, and maritime.

The growth of the satellite IoT market is driven by the rising demand for interconnectivity between devices in remote areas and the increasing use of satellite IoT technology in the agriculture industry. However, the high costs of implementing satellite IoT solutions restrain the growth of this market. Additionally, the growing use of satellite IoT technology in maritime applications is expected to generate growth opportunities for the players in this market. However, satellite IoT devices’ vulnerability to cyberattacks is a major challenge for market growth. Additionally, low earth orbit (LEO) satellite-based connectivity and the increasing demand for environmental and weather monitoring devices are key trends in the satellite IoT market.

The satellite IoT market is segmented by service type (satellite IoT backhaul services and direct-to-satellite services), frequency bands (L band, Ku band, Ka band, and other frequency bands), organization size (large enterprises and small & medium-sized enterprises), sector (agriculture [environmental and weather monitoring, equipment tracking, and other applications], construction [site monitoring, fleet management, and other applications], utilities [remote monitoring, worker safety and security, and other applications], oil & gas [remote monitoring, worker safety and security, and other applications], military & defense [border intrusion and detection, aircraft safety systems and telematics, and other applications], transportation & logistics [telematics, location tracking, and other applications], maritime [communication and navigation, weather and meteorological data, and other applications], and other sectors), and geography. The study also evaluates industry competitors and analyzes the market at regional and country levels.

Based on service type, in 2024, the direct-to-satellite services segment is expected to account for the larger share of around 71.0% of the satellite IoT market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the rising demand for direct-to-satellite IoT services for tracking and managing remote operations and the growing demand for these services in smart agriculture and marine applications. Moreover, this segment is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on frequency band, in 2024, the Ku band segment is expected to account for the largest share of above 40.0% of the satellite IoT market. Factors such as lower spectrum costs, the growing use of the Ku band for short-range and high-resolution imaging capabilities, and the rising use of the band in smart energy, smart water, and smart power applications are driving the growth of this segment. Moreover, this segment is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on organization size, in 2024, the large enterprises segment is expected to account for the larger share of above 75.0% of the satellite IoT market. However, the small & medium-sized enterprises segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growth of this segment is driven by the increasing adoption of satellite IoT technology to track, monitor, and manage assets and the rising need for increased operational efficiency among SMEs.

Based on sector, in 2024, the military & defense segment is expected to account for the largest share of around 37.0% of the satellite IoT market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the rising need for enhanced connectivity in remote and harsh environments and the growing need for improved situational awareness in military & defense. Satellite IoT is making a significant impact in the military sector by utilizing sensors and devices that enhance situational awareness, streamline complex procedures, and ultimately improve the success rate of defense operations.

However, the agriculture segment is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period..

Based on geography, in 2024, North America is expected to account for the largest share of around 49.0% of the satellite IoT market. North America’s large market share is attributed to the presence of leading satellite IoT providers across the region, efforts by leading companies to launch new satellite IoT solutions, and the increasing adoption of satellite IoT in precision farming and smart greenhouses.

However, Asia-Pacific is expected to register the highest CAGR of above 19.0% during the forecast period. The growth of this region is driven by the infrastructural growth in APAC, especially in China, South Korea, Japan, and India.

The key players operating in the satellite IoT market are Iridium Communications Inc. (U.S.) Astrocast SA (Switzerland), Airbus SE (Netherlands), Globalstar, Inc. (U.S.), Thales (France), Eutelsat Communications S.A (Italy), Thuraya Telecommunications Company (UAE), Vodafone Group Plc (U.K.), Inmarsat Global Limited (U.K.), ORBCOMM Inc. (U.S.), Swarm Technologies Inc. (U.S.), Alén Space, S.L. (Spain), Fossa Systems, S.L. (Spain), SATELIO IOT SERVICES, S.L. (Spain), and OQ Technology (Luxembourg).

The post Satellite IoT Market to be Worth $2.48 Billion by 2031 appeared first on IoT Business News.

According to IoT Analytics, the global cellular IoT connectivity market reached a milestone, with mobile operators worldwide earning a combined $15 billion from 3.6 billion cellular IoT connections in 2023.

This growth rate of 23% YoY exceeded that of IoT software companies and hyperscalers in the same year.
The consolidated market saw its top five mobile IoT network operators manage 83% of all global cellular IoT connections, and the top five by revenue receive 64% of the combined revenue.

Looking ahead, the advent of 5G and 5G Redcap technologies is set to further drive growth in the global cellular IoT market. These technologies are forecasted to push the market at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18% between 2024 and 2030.

Key Insights:

Mobile operators worldwide earned a combined $15 billion from 3.6 billion cellular IoT connections in 2023– according to IoT Analytics’ Global Cellular IoT Connectivity Tracker & Forecast (updated June 2024) and IoT Mobile Operator Pricing & Market Report 2024–2030 (released July 2024).
Mobile operators’ IoT revenue growth rate of 23% YoY exceeded that of IoT software companies and hyperscalers in 2023.
Cellular IoT connections grew even while the shipments and revenue for cellular IoT modules declined globally in 2023.
The top five mobile IoT network operators managed 83% of all global cellular IoT connections, while the top 5 by revenue received 64% of combined revenue.
5G and 5G Redcap are likely to drive the global cellular IoT market’s forecasted 18% CAGR between 2024 and 2030.

Select quotes:

Satyajit Sinha, Principal Analyst at IoT Analytics, comments:

“5G RedCap is set to transform the IoT landscape by making 5G features more accessible and supporting numerous applications, from industrial IoT to Consumer IoT. Its design optimizations, such as reduced channel bandwidth and capped modulation order, enhance device efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Riding on existing 5G infrastructure, RedCap ensures the longevity of current deployments and eases the transition to next-generation connectivity. It outperforms LTE Cat-1 and Cat-4, with better uplink performance and extended battery life, meeting the critical needs of mid-speed use cases like wearables and smart cameras.”

Market overview

Mobile operators worldwide earned $15 billion from 3.56 billion cellular IoT connections in 2023. According to IoT Analytics’ Global Cellular IoT Connectivity Tracker & Forecast (updated in June 2024)—which shares granular data about connections, revenue, and ARPU across all IoT connectivity types, including 2024 quarterly forecasts—mobile operator IoT revenue grew at a CAGR of 16% since 2010. IoT Analytics projects growth acceleration starting in 2024, with the CAGR expected to exceed 18% through 2030.

Mobile IoT revenue growth rate set the pace in 2023. The IoT revenue growth rate for mobile operators exceeded that for software vendors and hyperscalers in general in 2023, according to IoT Analytics’ Global IoT Enterprise Spending dashboard (updated June 2024). This data point shows that the relative importance of cellular connectivity for IoT-connected devices continues to increase.

The market for cellular IoT connections grew while the market for cellular IoT modules declined. In 2023, cellular IoT module vendors saw a 10% decline in revenue year-over-year (YoY) stemming from a decline in module shipments. However, cellular IoT connectivity revenue grew 23% YoY, supporting IoT Analytics’ recent analysis that the cellular IoT module market decline resulted from inventory strategies to prevent overstocking. Demand for LTE Cat 1 bis and 5G in China has fueled an upswing in the cellular IoT module market.

Top 5 mobile operators by connections and revenue

The top five network operators managed 83% of all global cellular IoT connections in 2023. These top five are China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom, Vodafone, and AT&T. In terms of IoT revenue, the top five network operators made up 64% of the IoT mobile operator market, with China Mobile, Verizon, AT&T, China Unicom, and Deutsche Telekom (including T-Mobile) leading the market.

Key insights on 2023 market developments of leading mobile IoT operators:

1. China Mobile. China Mobile contributed 46% of global cellular IoT connections and 20% of global cellular IoT connectivity revenue in 2023. China Mobile’s cellular IoT connections grew by 20% YoY due to its one-stop solution strategy, shifting focus from pure connectivity to comprehensive solutions. China’s mobile one-stop solution strategy encompasses hardware components like chips, operating systems, and modules. It also integrates with three key IoT platforms—OneLink, OneNET, and OneCyber—and targets three main areas of application: video-based IoT, urban IoT, and industrial IoT.

2. China Telecom. China Telecom contributed 15% of global cellular IoT connections and 7% of global cellular IoT connectivity revenue. China Telecom’s cellular IoT connection grew by 28% YoY due to a focus on urban management solutions leveraging the IoT Cognition Cloud Platform, empowering over 100 use cases for urban management. These use cases range from flood-level detection to fire protection, providing a comprehensive view of a city’s status, including aspects such as heat distribution, location and condition, alert statistics, and facility conditions.

3. China Unicom. China Unicom contributed 14% of global cellular IoT connections and 10% of global cellular IoT connectivity revenue. China Unicom’s cellular IoT connection grew by 28% YoY due to the adoption of 4G and 5G high-speed technologies. Notably, deploying 5G IoT connections led to China Unicom’s growth.

4. Vodafone. Vodafone contributed 5% of global cellular IoT connections and 9% of global cellular IoT connectivity revenue. Vodafone’s cellular IoT connection grew by 15% YoY due to strong demand from the automotive sector.

5. AT&T. AT&T contributed 4% of global cellular IoT connections and 12% of global cellular IoT connectivity revenue. AT&T’s cellular IoT connection grew by 19% YoY due to strong demand from the automotive sector.

IoT connectivity price points vary by region. According to IoT Analytics’ 159-page IoT Mobile Operator Pricing and Market Report 2024–2030 (published in July 2024 with its accompanying optional IoT Operator Pricing Database), Western mobile operators companies like AT&T, Verizon, Deutsche Telekom, and others offer cellular IoT data plans at relatively higher price points than the global average, leading to higher revenue even with fewer IoT connections. However, China Mobile leads in both revenue and the number of connections.

Future outlook: 5G and 5G Redcap to drive IoT connectivity market growth

5G and 5G RedCap to contribute nearly 50% of mobile operator IoT connectivity revenue by 2030. Based on the IoT connectivity tracker, IoT Analytics forecasts 5G and 5G RedCap will drive the global cellular IoT connectivity market up to a CAGR of 18% from 2024 to 2030 as they increase their combined market revenue share to a near majority by the end of this timeframe. According to IoT Analytics’ 367-page 5G IoT & Private 5G Market Report 2024–2030 (published in June 2024), 5G IoT connections are forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 44% from 2024 to 2030.

Flexibility and cost-effectiveness drive 5G RedCap adoption. IoT devices embedded with the RedCap module do not require tight or deterministic latency as in time-critical communications applications. Such devices require a data rate of less than 150 Mbps for download and less than 50 Mbps for upload, with a latency of less than 100ms. This reduces the complexity of the devices and keeps the costs down, leading to a noticeable increase in consumer, enterprise, and industrial devices using 5G RedCap hitting the market. Most notably, 5G RedCap’s use in video surveillance is gaining popularity, as it offers sufficient uplink data rates required for video cameras to transmit high-quality video streams without requiring the full capabilities (and costs) of standard 5G.

What it means for mobile operators offering IoT services

8 questions executives at mobile operators offering IoT services should ask themselves based on the insights in this article:

1. Revenue diversification: How can we diversify our IoT service offerings to capture a larger share of the $15 billion IoT connectivity market?
2. Market share expansion: What strategies can we implement to increase our market share and compete more effectively with the top five mobile IoT network operators?
3. 5G and 5G RedCap adoption: How can we accelerate the deployment and adoption of 5G and 5G RedCap to capitalize on the forecasted 18% CAGR in the cellular IoT market?
4. Automotive sector opportunities: What specific steps can we take to increase our presence and revenue in the automotive sector, following Vodafone and AT&T’s success?
5. Deployment strategies: How should we adjust our deployment strategy of pure-play connectivity to comprehensive solutions?
6. Partnerships and collaborations: What potential partnerships and collaborations should we pursue to enhance our IoT service offerings and expand our market reach?
7. IoT platform integration: How can we integrate our IoT solutions with key IoT platforms to provide comprehensive solutions and attract more customers?
8. Consumer and enterprise solutions: What innovative consumer, enterprise, and industrial solutions can we develop to leverage the growing adoption of 5G RedCap and meet market demands?

What it means for cellular IoT module, chipset, and device manufacturers

5 questions executives at companies manufacturing cellular IoT modules, chipsets, or devices should ask themselves based on the insights in this article:

1. 5G and 5G RedCap readiness: How can we accelerate the development and integration of 5G and 5G RedCap modules to capture a significant share of the forecasted 18% CAGR in the IoT market?
2. Market demand: What specific demands from the automotive sector and other industries can we address with our IoT modules and devices to drive growth?
3. Pricing strategies: What adjustments to our pricing strategies can we implement to align with market expectations and increase our revenue share?
4. Partnership opportunities: Which mobile operators and other stakeholders should we partner with to expand our market reach and enhance product integration within the IoT ecosystem?
5. Future technologies: What emerging technologies and trends should we focus on to ensure our product portfolio remains relevant and competitive in the rapidly evolving IoT market?

The post Global cellular IoT connectivity market reached $15B in 2023, 5G set to drive further growth appeared first on IoT Business News.

Qualified customers can now use the Soracom CMP to activate and manage Skylo 3GPP NTN connectivity.

Soracom, Inc., a global provider of advanced Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, today announced that its integration with Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) service operator Skylo has progressed from Private Beta status to a global initial service rollout to select Soracom customers.

Speaking from the keynote stage at Soracom Discovery 2024, Soracom CTO and co-founder Kenta Yasukawa was joined by Skylo CEO and co-founder Parth Trivedi to confirm that qualified customers around the world can now activate Skylo connectivity on their Soracom SIMs/eSIMs and enable their devices to switch seamlessly between cellular and NTN.

In 2023, Soracom and Skylo announced a partnership designed to give customers building IoT solutions and M2M devices access to Skylo’s direct-to-device 3GPP NTN connectivity, along with the advanced capability of Soracom’s fully-virtualized cellular platform. Following a successful Private Beta period, that service is now available commercially in Limited Preview, and can be activated directly by qualified customers in consultation with Soracom.

Skylo’s satellite NTN lets chipsets, modems, modules, and devices designed for terrestrial networks connect via existing satellites using the global 3GPP Release 17 standard. Customers with devices located in North America, Europe, and Oceania that include 3GPP R.17-capable LPWAN modules can now use Soracom’s Subscription Containers feature to add the Skylo-based satellite connectivity plan (called “planNT1”) over the air (OTA) to Soracom “plan01s” and “plan-US” IoT SIM cards. NTN typically comes with higher latency and base data cost compared to cellular. However, Soracom’s platform services let customers minimize the amount of data transmitted and handshake over the satellite link while maintaining integration with their cloud service of choice. This approach maximizes coverage, including satellite failover, while also integrating billing and connectivity management using the Soracom connectivity management portal.

“Soracom is committed to an Internet of Things without limits, where anything can connect to any cloud from anywhere,” said Kenta Yasukawa, CTO and co-founder of Soracom.

“Now, customers can add Skylo’s breakthrough 3GPP NTN coverage to their devices while still taking full advantage of Soracom’s CMP and platform to control their connections, cloud integrations, and data use.”

“We are very happy to expand our partnership with Soracom as we move beyond our Private Beta,” said Parth Trivedi, CEO and co-founder of Skylo. “Deep platform integration, seamless switching between NTN and cellular, and the ability to add NTN gives Soracom customers the ability to unlock the full potential of IoT at any time, regardless of their location or infrastructure constraints, enabling real-time data access, monitoring, and control in areas not currently served by cellular connectivity.”

Speaking from the Discovery stage, Blues Inc. CEO and Founder Ray Ozzie spoke directly to the benefits of the Soracom/Skylo integration: “Blues simplifies wireless communication so that our customers can transform physical products into intelligent services. Key to our approach is supporting all major Radio Access Technologies. The ability to connect via satellite where cellular is not an option while allowing customers to maintain control and minimize data overhead promises to help Blues build a safer, more intelligent connected world.”

The post Soracom Expands Skylo Integration in Global Limited Preview appeared first on IoT Business News.

At the recent Mobile World Congress (MWC 2024), TUGE Technologies, a leader in cloud-based communication and Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT), took center stage with its innovative vSIM technology.

The company unveiled a suite of 5G vSIM-enabled mobile broadband devices, including MiFi, CPE, dongles, IoT modules, trackers, industrial gateways, and in-vehicle terminals. The products, designed for global markets, are integrated with advanced features and services that enhance communication management efficiency, gaining praise from international customers. Noted for the performance and reliability, TUGE’s vSIM mobile broadband solutions continue to perform strongly in markets across the US, Japan, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

Highlighting its technological expertise, TUGE introduced a pioneering cellular-satellite hybrid communication solution at MWC 2024. The innovation allows for seamless connectivity from ground to air, marking a significant advancement in mobile IoT and reinforcing TUGE’s position as a dominant force in the global telecommunications landscape.

TUGE also unveiled several innovative solutions, including the Internet Protocol camera (IPC) Go Global Solution and the Global One-Stop eSIM Solution. These solutions are built upon TUGE’s AIoT platform, which is powered by their proprietary vSIM technology. They offer various advantages such as being SIM card-free, providing instant activation, offering multi-operator coverage, and enabling global unified management. With local data costs and global integrated data operations, these solutions empower IPC enterprises to achieve rapid global deployment.

Leveraging intelligent integration of global cellular networks, TUGE is building a low-altitude, integrated heterogeneous network that combines near-field WiFi/Bluetooth, wide-area 4G/5G, and aerial Middle Earth Orbit (MEO)/Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity. The approach ensures genuine global coverage, offering ubiquitous connectivity services tailored for the globalization of mobile IoT. By utilizing cellular networks in areas with coverage and satellite systems where terrestrial networks are unavailable, TUGE achieves unparalleled global network access. Looking to the future, the company anticipates providing high-performance connectivity solutions and a unified, global connectivity management platform, seamlessly connecting diverse smart devices worldwide.

The post TUGE Technologies Unveils Advanced vSIM IoT Solutions at MWC 2024, Expanding Global Reach appeared first on IoT Business News.

UnaBiz, Massive Internet of Things (IoT) service provider and integrator, announces the launch of Sigfox Atlas Sparks Beta, a revolutionary addition to its geolocation suite, designed to enhance asset tracking in the Supply Chain and Logistics sector.

This next-generation service builds upon the success of Sigfox Atlas Wifi ML, further cementing UnaBiz’s commitment to innovation and efficiency.

Supply Chain and Logistics market leaders are constantly striving to improve the visibility of their asset fleets. Tracking hundreds of thousands of assets effectively is a complex challenge where every dollar counts. While low-cost trackers are available, they often fall short in terms of location accuracy. Sigfox Atlas Sparks addresses this issue head-on.

Introducing Sigfox Atlas Sparks

Sigfox Atlas Sparks is a unique, next-generation geolocation service that enhances UnaBiz’s world-leading location-based service capabilities with patented Machine Learning algorithms. This groundbreaking service targets customers with large fleets of asset trackers by significantly improving the accuracy of Sigfox-only low-cost trackers through integration with a small fleet of Smart WiFi trackers.

Advancing Track & Trace in the Supply Chain

With Atlas Sparks, logistics players can enhance the accuracy of their entire fleet of trackers by equipping 20% of them with Smart WiFi trackers and 80% simple, Sigfox-only low-cost trackers, without built-in geolocation capabilities. As data from both types of trackers is aggregated in the cloud, our patented Machine Learning algorithms analyze their communication patterns. The simpler low-cost trackers are then clustered with the smarter WiFi trackers based on their “0G radio signatures.”

When 0G-only trackers are deployed, they begin transmitting data with their radio signatures. UnaBiz Geolocation system matches these radio signatures with known patterns to accurately locate simple low-cost trackers. This innovative approach ensures that even if only 20% of your assets are Smart, you can still locate a mixed fleet of devices with a level of accuracy equivalent to previous implementations using 100% of smart trackers enhancing your data accuracy and optimising your entire fleet of trackers without incurring exorbitant costs.

Evolving to Enable Massive IoT

Sigfox is continuously evolving to enable Massive IoT at the lowest Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). By applying the “Less is More” principle, Sigfox Atlas Sparks empowers asset owners to extend their reach and collect data from lower-cost assets including pallets, crates, parcels, and more, using Sigfox-only low-cost trackers.

Key Customer Benefits

Enhanced Accuracy of Low-Cost Trackers: Achieve greater accuracy and visibility on large fleets by equipping 20% with Smart WiFi trackers and the remaining 80% with Sigfox-only low-cost trackers.
Cost Reduction: Lower the TCO of large-scale asset management by 20% to 30% overall, and enhance location data accuracy equivalent to that of a pure WiFi-based fleet of trackers.
Compatibility: The new service is compatible with existing solutions such as “SeeGALE Card”, a reusable card-type device capable of detecting the location and opening status of products during transportation developed by Kyocera Communication Systems Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “KCCS”) and ALPS ALPINE’s GERI tracker, ensuring quick implementation with existing systems.

Yoshiaki Nagai, Deputy General Manager of ICT Group and Division Manager, Wireless Solutions Division at KCCS, commented, “We’re excited to be one of the first solutions compatible with Sigfox Atlas Sparks. UnaBiz’s continuous innovation in the Sigfox 0G technology, as well as Geolocation AI, brings new value and confidence to our customers in the Supply Chain and Logistics sector, enhancing our ability to deliver precise yet cost-effective asset tracking solutions.”

Oliver Diezemann, Senior Product Manager at ALPS ALPINE EUROPE GmbH, one of the world’s largest developers and manufacturers of electromechanical devices and largest implementor of LPWAN asset trackers in Europe with over 1.2 Million devices deployed in the field, commented, “We’re excited to bring UnaBiz’s latest innovation, Sigfox Atlas Sparks, to our customers. We have experienced the success of the Sigfox Atlas Wifi ML and are looking forward to the next generation of Sigfox geolocation service. By leveraging AI and focusing on what is fundamentally essential, UnaBiz has reduced the TCO of large fleets by balancing low-cost Sigfox-only trackers with Smart WiFi Trackers. This groundbreaking service proves once again that “Less is more” when it comes to Massive IoT deployment, and Sigfox 0G technology remains one of the top choices for the Supply Chain and Logistics sector.”

Alexis Susset, Chief Technology Officer at UnaBiz, stated:

“Sigfox Atlas Sparks demonstrates the transformative power of AI and Machine Learning further advancing our world-leading suite of geolocation services. This innovation is unique to our global Sigfox 0G Network, as we leverage its scale we gain access to high-quality datasets used to train Geolocation AI models.”

“Not only does this allow our Supply Chain and Logistics customers to optimise their operations while greatly reducing costs, but using our ever more power-efficient solutions, it also enables them to do so while continuing to reduce environmental impact.”

The post UnaBiz launches Sigfox Atlas Sparks Beta, its AI-based Geolocation service appeared first on IoT Business News.

Berg Insight just released new findings about the market for electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Europe and North America.

The number of connected EV charging points in Europe and North America reached an estimated 7.4 million units in 2023.

Europe represents the largest share comprising around 5.5 million of these charging points, corresponding to a connectivity penetration rate of 70 percent.

In North America, about 1.9 million of the total number of charging points were connected, equivalent to a connectivity penetration rate of 56 percent. Growing at a compound annual growth rate of 37 percent, the number of connected charging points in the two regions is expected to reach 35.7 million in 2028.

The connected EV charging station market is served by a variety of players addressing the different segments. Back-office software platforms for charging station management is offered by a variety of companies, including software companies specialised in charging station management, hardware providers and charge point operators (CPOs). The back-office platforms developed in-house by CPOs are in some cases also offered as white-label solutions to other CPOs.

ChargePoint is a leading CPO in North America that uses proprietary solutions and additionally offers these to other CPOs. The company is also a leader in terms of charging points connected to its software platform in North America. Additional companies having a notable number of connected charging stations on their platforms in the region include Blink Charging, Flo, EV Connect, Shell Recharge Solutions and Tesla. ChargePoint and Enel X Way further account for the majority of the connected private chargers in the region. Examples of specialized software vendors with a significant number of charging points connected to their platforms are more prolific in Europe and include Last Mile Solutions, Virta, GreenFlux, Driivz and AMPECO. Some more hardware focused actors like Easee, Zaptec and Pod Point have many connected charging points but usually support a less comprehensive set of use cases with their software offering. Full-service providers like Shell Recharge Solutions and EVBox (Engie) have become significant actors in Europe and have notable numbers of charging points connected to their back-office platforms. Several European CPOs have also developed proprietary software solutions with numerous charging points under management with examples including Vattenfall, Innogy and Allego.

“The integration of communications technology in EV charging stations can have a considerable impact on the energy costs related to an EV charging station”, said Caspar Jansson, IoT Analyst, Berg Insight.

Connected charging stations can be included in grid service solutions for utilities where charging output can be temporarily reduced to ease the momentary pressure on the power grid. Load management can also reduce the strain on the grids by enabling charging output to be kept within the capacity of the grid connection.

“Connected charging points enable their owners to support utilities with demand response programs and thereby also reduce their own charging costs. The growing adoption of EVs together with high energy prices will only strengthen the case for connected and smart charging solutions”, continued Mr. Jansson. He adds that it can be valuable to connect home chargers too.

Mr. Jansson, concluded:

“The number of connected home charging stations is growing in both regions. Connected chargers for example enable homeowners to be reimbursed for EV charging related to work travel, thereby reducing the need for public charging and the associated cost.”

The post The number of connected EV charging points in Europe and North America to reach 36 million by 2028 appeared first on IoT Business News.

Simplified networks, extended ranges and device density all achieved in IoT use cases including Smart Home, Smart City, Industrial IoT, and Agriculture Technology. Industry players now invited to take part in EMEA and APAC phase 3 trials.

The Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA), the global industry body dedicated to improving Wi-Fi standards and services, has today announced that the successful completion of phase two field trials of IEEE 802.11ah Wi-Fi HaLow, which promises reliable, long-range, low-power connectivity, making it an ideal solution for a variety of IoT scenarios.

Part of the WBA’s Wi-Fi HaLow for IoT project, the trials, which took place in North America, have proven the scalability and efficiency of Wi-Fi HaLow in challenging environments such as dense urban settings and large industrial complexes. The accompanying “Wi-Fi HaLow for IoT: Field Trials Report” details actionable insights for businesses, network planners, and operators.

A range of benefits have been proven in each of the use cases outlined below including extended ranges, improved material penetration capabilities, extended battery life, enhanced device density, a higher level of security, ease of installation and management, and elevated data throughput in IoT scenarios when compared with existing Wi-Fi standards. The phase two field trial use cases were Smart Home, Warehousing, Smart Farm, Smart City, Smart Office Building, Smart School Campus and Smart Industrial Complex.

The trials were conducted by WBA and its members including key partners like Morse Micro, Newracom, and Methods2Business, alongside participants such as AT&T, Charter Communications, Nextcomm Systems, and Qualcomm, which focused on larger-scale implementations and testing Wi-Fi HaLow in more challenging environments.

Setting the standard for simplified mainstream IoT

Wi-Fi HaLow includes a host of key features such as operation in the sub-1 GHz radio band, the use of narrow channel bandwidths, an increased number of supported devices and new operating modes to accommodate battery-operated devices. It also, builds upon the foundations of Wi-Fi, retaining such features as the most up-to-date high levels of security and native-IP support inherent in all internet connectivity.

The “Wi-Fi HaLow for IoT: Field Trials Report” contains actionable insights that can help drive innovation and strategic decisions across the Wi-Fi industry. For businesses, it lays down a roadmap to harnessing Wi-Fi HaLow for developing new products and entering new markets. For network planners and operators, it offers evidence-based strategies for enhancing network capabilities and service offerings. Additionally, the report serves as a valuable educational tool, deepening understanding of Wi-Fi HaLow’s operational dynamics and advantages.

Tiago Rodrigues, CEO of the Wireless Broadband Alliance, said:

“Each of these real-world field trials has been a huge success demonstrating the readiness and the benefits Wi-Fi HaLow standard can bring to a vast range of industries and use cases, improving performance and reducing complexity. We now move to the next phase, and are inviting industry players interested in participating in trials across EMEA and APAC to reach out. Your participation can help shape the future of IoT connectivity and drive innovation across various sectors.”

A summary of each use case and the results

1. Smart Home: In Denver, Colorado, CableLabs’ Kyrio conducted a trial demonstrating Wi-Fi HaLow’s capabilities within a 5,000 sq ft home and across a 3-acre lot, a collaboration involving Methods2Business, Morse Micro, and Newracom. The trial successfully utilized a single access point to deliver robust and secure Wi-Fi coverage throughout the property, eliminating the need for additional repeaters. Over 140 indoor locations were tested, achieving data throughputs exceeding 8 Mbps in high-demand areas and over 2 Mbps in typical usage scenarios. The system efficiently managed 23 simultaneous device connections at MCS7 PHY rates (32 Mbps), and extended its range over 430 meters, showcasing potential for neighbourhood-wide connectivity. Additionally, the trial highlighted efficient network utilization with OTA firmware updates completing in just 30 seconds for a 25 MB file at approximately 20 Mbps, affirming Wi-Fi HaLow’s suitability as a scalable solution for future smart homes and residential networking applications.

2. Warehouse: In a comprehensive trial at a 110,000 sq ft warehouse near Chicago, Wi-Fi HaLow demonstrated its effectiveness in providing robust wireless connectivity across complex industrial environments. The technology achieved extensive coverage with a single access point, delivering varying data rates from 1 Mbps in peripheral zones to 22 Mbps in central areas, thereby supporting a wide range of operational needs from high-definition video streaming to basic sensor communications. The system handled high throughput demands and supported numerous device types seamlessly, proving its versatility and reliability. Notably, Wi-Fi HaLow managed outdoor connectivity up to 1,500 feet with strong signal strength, essential for logistics and fleet management. Redundancy tests further underscored the network’s reliability, with devices swiftly reassociating to alternative access points, ensuring operational continuity. The trial underscored Wi-Fi HaLow’s potential as a scalable, efficient solution for modernizing warehouse operations, highlighting its capability to enhance network performance while reducing infrastructure costs.

3. Smart Farm: In a trial at Scott Farm Market and Greenhouse in Kent, Ohio, teamed up by Newracom and Morse Micro, Wi-Fi HaLow technology demonstrated impressive coverage and performance over a 14-acre agricultural site, addressing challenges such as extensive area coverage and penetration through various structures. The setup included a single Wi-Fi HaLow AP and multiple IoT devices, achieving data rates from 1.3 Mbps at the most challenging points to 22 Mbps near the AP. The technology effectively supported a multi-camera security system, maintaining consistent video streaming across various locations and resolutions, and facilitated robust connectivity for 24 IoT devices simulating typical farm sensors and actuators. The trial underscored Wi-Fi HaLow’s potential to provide reliable, expansive connectivity for smart farming applications with minimal infrastructure.

4. Smart City: In a smart city trial conducted in Irvine, California, Wi-Fi HaLow demonstrated its potential for extensive urban connectivity. Utilizing equipment from Newracom, Morse Micro, and Methods2Business, the technology achieved coverage over a 1 km radius and up to 1.5 miles along Irvine Center Drive. The trial showed strong signal strength capable of supporting high Modulation and Coding Schemes (MCS) with PHY rates up to 3.34 Mbps. Even in areas with lower signal strength, connectivity remained robust, facilitating smart city applications such as safety monitoring and asset tracking across diverse urban landscapes including retail plazas and business parks.

5. Smart Office Building: The Wi-Fi HaLow trial in the Smart Office Building use case at the Newracom Office Park in Irvine, California, demonstrated the technology’s effective deployment for smart building services with minimal infrastructural enhancements. Companies such as Morse Micro and Methods2Business provided crucial hardware like the MM6108-EKH01 access points and station evaluation kits. This setup enabled Wi-Fi HaLow to offer extensive and reliable coverage across multiple floors and diverse building materials, efficiently overcoming challenges like metal thermal energy-blocking films on glass. The trial emphasized Wi-Fi HaLow’s utility in supporting a variety of services, including HVAC, energy management, and security systems, with significant signal penetration and adaptable coverage. Different bandwidth tests also showcased the system’s flexibility to meet varying operational demands, affirming Wi-Fi HaLow as an ideal solution for contemporary smart building ecosystems within the Newracom Office Park.

6. Smart School Campus: In a trial at Red Hill Lutheran School, companies Newracom, Morse Micro, and Methods2Business demonstrated the efficacy of Wi-Fi HaLow, achieving exceptional network performance across a 5-acre campus encompassing multiple buildings. Despite challenges from thick concrete walls and audio equipment interference, Wi-Fi HaLow provided extensive indoor and outdoor coverage, managed interference without adjacent channel disruptions, and supported the potential to scale up to 32,764 IoT devices efficiently. These results underline Wi-Fi HaLow’s capabilities as a cost-effective and robust network solution for educational settings, highlighting its advantages over traditional Wi-Fi systems with fewer infrastructural demands.

7. Smart Industrial Complex: The Wi-Fi HaLow deployment trial at a large industrial complex in Tampa, Florida, showcased robust and extensive wireless coverage across both indoor and outdoor environments, overcoming the challenges posed by heavy machinery and metal structures. The trial, conducted by Morse Micro, Nexcomm Systems, and Newracom, achieved high data throughput rates, with UDP traffic peaking at 21.3 Mbps and reliable connectivity extending up to 425 feet in high-density areas. This demonstration highlighted Wi-Fi HaLow’s capability to support critical industrial applications such as real-time asset tracking and extensive video surveillance, proving its effectiveness in complex RF environments typical of large-scale industrial settings.

Marleen Boonen, CEO & Founder of Methods2Business, said: “After several years of intense collaboration with the other Wi-Fi HaLow device manufacturers to establish in 2021 the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED® HaLow standard, it’s really great to further strengthen our joint efforts in the Wireless Broadband Alliance to jointly develop the global Wi-Fi HaLow market. Our company is really delighted about the overwhelming range, coverage and penetration results obtained in the US field trials with the different vendor solutions in various real-life use cases. After this great experience, our team is very motivated to demonstrate more benefits of the Wi-Fi HaLow technology, like lower power consumption for a multi-year battery operation in sensors, in the upcoming field trials in Europe and Japan.”

Michael De Nil, co-founder and CEO of Morse Micro, said: “We’re delighted to have contributed to the ‘Wi-Fi HaLow for IoT: Field Trials Report,’ highlighting Wi-Fi HaLow’s potential to transform the IoT landscape. With its extensive range, superior penetration, and enhanced battery life, Wi-Fi HaLow is poised to revolutionize various industries, including agriculture, smart cities, and manufacturing, improving efficiency and data collection but also broadening operational possibilities. As Wi-Fi HaLow transitions into practical applications, we are excited to showcase its advantages and helping industries worldwide adopt this groundbreaking technology.”

Zac Freeman, Vice President of Marketing & Sales of Newracom, added: “Wi-Fi HaLow’s shines across a wide range of industries as a preferred connectivity technology, with its long-range, signal penetration, and data throughput. From open fields to industrial factories, Wi-Fi HaLow provides reliable fast connectivity with simple architecture that can’t be replicated by any other technology, ticking all the boxes for requirements for IoT deployments. We could not be more pleased with our involvement and results of the WBA “Wi-Fi HaLow IoT Field Trials Report”, confirming Wi-Fi HaLow’s capabilities in rigorous real-world environments, from homes to warehouses, farms to factories, to consistently deliver the next generation of IoT devices.”

The post Wireless Broadband Alliance Announces Triumphant Wi-Fi HaLow Phase Two Real-World IoT Field Trials appeared first on IoT Business News.