Although the initial adoption of IoT was fairly slow, it has fast become vital to businesses over the last five years. IoT is enabling businesses to increase revenue, create operational efficiencies and deliver new product lines in new markets, our research found. In today’s always-on and fully integrated world, fast and reliable connectivity between all devices is an extremely important business enabler, and those who invest in their IoT strategy are seeing the benefits. It is also a key driver behind digital transformation and holds the keys to allowing businesses to evolve and adapt to modern, digital-first practices. However, there is still a lot that can be done to fully unlock the potential of IoT across almost every industry.

Smart connectivity is the gateway to automation

As the adoption of IoT becomes more widespread, and IoT matures as a technology, traditional implementations of simple networks and connected devices will not be intelligent enough. The beauty of having all of your devices fully connected is that it provides a wealth of real-time data, which enable the system to be more proactive in its response to changing conditions. This does, however, require more processing and analysis on the part of the network, meaning a much more intelligent system is needed.

To fully take advantage of everything that IoT can offer, businesses should implement a ‘smart connectivity’ solution. As an example of this, take a system that monitors the heartbeat of a patient. While this could easily be set up to alert a healthcare professional once the heart rate exceeds a certain limit, this would not allow enough time for a doctor or nurse to respond, depending on the severity of the patient’s condition.

With smart connectivity, this system could be vastly improved. To link the intelligence in the IoT device to the health monitoring analytics and operational dashboards in the cloud, you need intelligent or ‘smart’ connectivity built into the device that enables secure, compliant, and resilient device-to-cloud connection. This would allow the system to be much more proactive, giving it the data and analytics it needs to respond to events before they happen, as opposed to being reactive. In terms of healthcare, the real benefit of this could be saving lives.

There is also a growing need for remote patient monitoring (RPM), which allows patients to be discharged earlier and be safe in the knowledge that highly accurate data about their health will reach their healthcare providers. An excellent example of this being put into practice is Telli Health’s RPM offering, which uses Eseye’s multi-network eSIM connectivity solution, as this is much more reliable than Bluetooth. This reliability is further bolstered by not having to rely on only one network, which also allows for greater geographic coverage for connection.

Keeping up with digital transformation

Organisations strive to take advantage of modern technology as much as possible, in a process dubbed ‘digital transformation’, and IoT is one of the main drivers of this in many industries. One sector that benefits massively from the adoption of IoT is logistics.

Logistics touches every industry that deals with physical goods, and it plays a huge role in the day-to-day activities of most organisations. Due to the highly decentralised nature of the supply chain, IoT technology is a perfect match to solve some of the industry’s biggest challenges.

One main benefit is enhanced visibility and control over the disparate elements that make up the supply chain. A fully integrated network of devices allows companies the ability to monitor their assets, assess risks, and respond quickly to any issues that may arise.

IoT is also a great enabler for automation. Many logistics companies strive for a greater level of self-sufficiency, as it reduces human labour and associated costs, as well as reduces the margin for human error. However, to achieve a high degree of automated processes across the supply chain, it is essential to connect the devices connected to a central network and each other.

The past year has also seen an explosion in the usefulness of AI, and companies want to get as much out of this emerging technology as they can. This is achieved with a robust IoT solution, as it can be used, for example, in warehouses to manage inventory with automatically updating shelves.

Sustainability into the future

Another way in which IoT can help a business excel is in achieving sustainability targets. There is increasing pressure on organisations to become more efficient and decrease waste, as well as reduce harm to the environment. Through a fully connected IoT solution, techniques such as energy harvesting can be employed to extend the lifetimes of devices, as well as optimise energy use to improve overall efficiency.

IoT is essential for the electric vehicle industry, particularly when it comes to EV charging points. This is needed for practically every function of an EV charger, from payment processing and software updates to collecting user analytics. Unreliable connectivity can lead to delays which reduce the efficiency of charge points, limit customer throughput and – perhaps most concerning in a sector where adoption is still at an early stage – dent customer confidence. The technology pioneered through Eseye’s partnership with InstaVolt proves that these issues can be overcome with the right expertise, connectivity and implementation.

Additionally, as electric vehicles become the standard, any charging points that are installed now will need to be future-proof to be ready for the increasing adoption of EVs. The goal, therefore, is to create charging points that can run for 10 years, or more, with minimal human intervention. Having a low-maintenance, durable charging point network is achievable with IoT.

As we move into 2024 and beyond, businesses must embrace IoT if they want to stay ahead of the curve in a fast-paced and ever-evolving world. Choosing the right connectivity partner to provide high-quality service and maximum flexibility will ensure operational resilience and efficiency into the future, regardless of industry. Above all, reshaping industries with IoT can benefit not only the business but also the environment.

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IoT Analytics has published a new analysis focusing on smart meters.

It is derived from the comprehensive “Global Smart Meter Market Tracker”. The tracker includes installed base, shipments and shipment revenues for electricity, gas and water smart meters. The current analysis underscores the global adoption rate of smart electricity meters in 2024, providing an in-depth regional exploration and market forecast.

Key insights:

By the end of 2023, 1.06 billion smart meters (electricity, water and gas) have been installed worldwide, according to IoT Analytics’ Global Smart Meter Market Tracker 2020–2030.
Smart meters enable utility service providers across the world to digitalize their distribution infrastructure and services efficiently with near real-time data.
North America has the most mature smart electricity meter market, with nearly 77% electricity meter market penetration, while Latin America has largely lagged in its adoption of the technology. Some European Union countries and the East Asian region, too, have high rates of smart electricity meter market penetration.
South Asia, Latin America, and Africa represent a high-growth potential for smart meters, as some regional governments have become convinced of the need to update their aging grid infrastructure and are more actively engaging with smart grid industry stakeholders to develop regulatory policies to drive the adoption of smart meters.

Key quotes:

Knud Lasse Lueth, CEO at IoT Analytics, remarks: “IoT-based smart electricity meters have become a reality in the world but adoption varies greatly by country and region with countries like Sweden, France, or Canada having completed or nearly completed their roll-outs while others like Germany are yet to start their initiative in a meaningful way. India is likely to see the largest roll-out in the coming years.”

Adarsh Krishnan, Principal Analyst at IoT Analytics, adds that: “Digital transformation is sweeping the utility industry as global service providers’ smart meter deployment, a foundational smart grid technology, exceeds installed base of 1 billion units. While advanced economies embrace feature-rich smart meters, emerging markets focus on more cost-effective solutions for their grid upgrades. Furthermore, future advancements in AI and edge computing will bring greater operational efficiencies and innovative consumer services, creating sustainable and resilient smart grids.”

By the end of 2023, Utility Service Providers (USPs) around the world will have installed over 1.06 billion smart (electricity, gas, and water) meters, according to IoT Analytics’ updated Global Smart Meter Market Tracker 2020–2030. As IoT devices, smart meters are enabling energy and water USPs to build resilience into their operations with near real-time data from their distribution networks. With sustainability and the digitalization of utilities gaining traction worldwide, the installed base of these devices is expected to exceed 1.75 billion by 2030 (CAGR 6%), making the smart meter market a market to watch closely.

Smart electricity meter adoption is far ahead of the adoption of smart gas and smart water meters at this point, though the picture could change by 2030, with smart gas and water meter adoption expected to grow at 10% and 16% CAGR, respectively.

While the tracker provides in-depth coverage of smart electricity, gas, and water meters across 52 countries and 5 regions—including installed base, shipments, revenue, market penetration, and connectivity technology—IoT Analytics plans to offer highlights for each smart meter submarket separately as its own article, starting here with smart electricity meters.

Global smart electricity meter market snapshot

As of late 2023, the smart electricity meter market achieved 43% penetration of the overall global electricity meter market, according to the market tracker.

Electricity grid modernization initiatives started in the late 2000s in Italy and the US and accelerated to national rollouts throughout the EU and APAC regions after 2010. Regulatory policies—supported by financial incentives from regional or national governments—have contributed to this growth, as these policies have encouraged utilities to replace mechanical electricity meters with smart meters to modernize their grid infrastructure.

However, as discussed below, not all parts of the world are modernizing their electricity infrastructure. According to the tracker, North America, Europe, and East Asia have had higher rates of smart electricity meter market penetration, but adoption rates still vary from country to country. Meanwhile, Latin America, Africa, and South Asia have been slow to initiate smart electricity meter projects across the board. Some countries have initiated large-scale smart electricity meter projects in recent years, though project implementation complexity, lack of regulatory policies, and cost hurdles have delayed rollouts in several countries.

Overall, the market for smart electricity meters looks promising, as the Smart Meter Market Tracker forecasts these IoT devices to achieve 54% adoption of the overall global electricity meter market by 2030.

Smart electricity meter market and adoption by region

While the smart meter market tracker shares market data down to the country level, the following are highlights about the smart electricity meter market at the regional level.

North America leads in smart electricity meter adoption

North America has the most mature smart electricity meter market, with nearly 77% electricity meter market penetration by the end of 2023.

In the US, smart electricity meters have 76% penetration in the overall electricity meter market as of 2023, driven by large-scale deployments from investor-owned utilities. Smart meter rollouts in the US are expected to slow down or plateau during the forecast period due to smart meter’s high penetration rate and long product life cycles. As municipalities with smaller budgets and cooperative-owned utilities replace their traditional electricity meters with smart meters, smart meter annual shipments in the US should see marginal growth through the rest of the decade.

Furthermore, the region will get a further boost in smart meter shipments, as Canadian utilities Fortis and Hydro One have announced plans in 2023 to replace their existing AMI with 2nd-generation smart meters.

The APAC region has the second most mature smart electricity meter market, driven by nationwide deployments in China and Japan.

Meanwhile, the APAC region has the largest addressable market for smart electricity meters, with over 1.1 billion electricity metering endpoints. In 2023, the APAC region accounted for almost 60% of the global smart meter installed base and more than 50% of annual smart meter shipments. In 2023, the region achieved a smart meter penetration rate of 49%, largely driven by successful nationwide rollouts in China and Japan. With planned nationwide deployments in Australia, South Korea, India, Indonesia, and Singapore, the region’s smart meter penetration is expected to reach 67% by the end of this decade.

Of note in this region, in 2021, India’s government set an ambitious goal of installing 250 million smart electricity meters by the end of 2025. To execute the implementation strategy, the government of India launched the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) not only to help financially support regional USP smart meter deployment and maintenance but also to expand the domestic manufacturing capacity to produce smart meters within India. By the end of 2023, India had achieved less than 3% of this goal, making it unlikely for this goal to be met before 2030. That said, by 2030, India is on track to become the single largest market for smart electricity meters in terms of annual shipment and revenue.

Europe comes third in smart meter adoption, though adoption differs greatly by country

Europe had 47% smart electricity meter market penetration across the continent at the end of 2023. France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, and the Scandinavian countries initiated nationwide rollouts in the last decade, while Greece, Hungary, Poland, and Romania only started their initiatives more recently.

Germany, with over 50 million electricity metering points, has largely lagged in its adoption rate, with under 10% of smart electricity meters deployed to date. However, in early 2023, the government of Germany revamped its 2016 Metering Point Operation Act to speed up smart meter deployments, targeting a complete rollout by 2032. The new law stipulates binding deadlines for USPs with a roadmap that includes 20% rollout by the end of 2025, 50% by the end of 2028, and 95% by the end of 2030 for residential and small business consumers, with targets extending to 2032 for large consumers. However, there is strong market skepticism around achieving these deadlines due to the need for clarity from the government around financial support for USPs, AMI technical specifications, data privacy, and security governance framework.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE lead in the Middle East and Africa region

In the Middle East and Africa region, Saudi Arabia and UAE are leading the way in the implementation of smart meters for electricity. In 2022, Saudi Arabia’s state-owned USP Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) announced the successful deployment of approximately 11 million smart meters over three years. Meanwhile, the UAE, which already has 1.6 million smart electricity meters installed, is expected to complete its nationwide rollout by the end of 2029.

Latin America lags in smart electricity meter adoption

Finally, Latin America has seen the slowest smart electricity meter deployment, largely due to regulatory indecisiveness delaying project rollouts. Uruguay was the first country in the region to mandate a nationwide smart meter rollout, aiming for completion in 2026.

Analyst’s outlook on the electricity smart meter market

Though regional variations persist—with energy USPs in North America, Europe, and East Asia boasting much more mature markets than their counterparts—the regions of Southern Asia, Latin America, and Africa represent a high-growth potential for smart meters. Some key considerations for various stakeholders are as follows:

Market saturation and marginal growth in advanced economies: The implementation of more advanced and feature-rich 2nd-generation smart meters is already underway or in the advanced planning stages in countries such as Sweden, Italy, Finland, and Canada. This is likely to marginally drive up the average selling price of smart electricity meters.
Cost sensitivity in emerging markets: In regions such as South Asia, Latin America, and Africa, where penetration rates are lower, some national governments are convinced of the need to upgrade their aging grid infrastructure and are actively engaging with smart grid industry stakeholders to develop regulatory policies and standards to drive the adoption of smart meters. However, these are also cost-sensitive markets where low-cost smart meters are more likely to be successful.
Smart meter supply chain diversification: Several countries (e.g., Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Brazil, India, and Indonesia) that are initiating large-scale rollouts are stipulating that smart meter OEMs localize the manufacturing of 40% or more of the smart meter demand.
Regulatory policy uncertainties: Policy indecisiveness creates complex and uncertain environments for smart meter stakeholders, hindering innovation and investments that subsequently delay smart meter deployments, as seen in countries such as Brazil, India, Mexico, and South Africa.
Future innovations and market trends: Innovations in ICs, edge computing, and AI (TinyML), as seen in 2nd-generation smart meters, may help reduce strain on communication networks, improve real-time responses to grid fluctuations, build resilience, and enhance data security and privacy.

Based on the Global Smart Meter Market Tracker 2020–2030, the traditional USP industry, once considered a laggard in adopting new technology innovations, is leading the digital transformation market with more than a billion smart meters and accelerating its digital footprint.

IoT Analytics will closely monitor this evolving USP industry and technology landscape to provide in-depth analysis and actionable insights into this market. Its next report on energy utilities (expected in Q2 2024) will provide a deep dive assessment of USPs in 10 countries to identify key trends in smart grid programs, such as distribution automation, green energy integration, and EV charging infrastructure.

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Sateliot has achieved a 5G service connection after successfully integrating with KSAT Global Ground Station Network and the 5G virtualized core in AWS.

Sateliot, which operates a Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) 5G Internet of Things (IoT) satellite constellation acting as a seamless roaming extension of cellular networks, has achieved 5G service messaging connection via the Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) commercial network, KSATlite, together with Amazon Web Services (AWS).

The collaboration between Sateliot and KSAT leverages the strengths of both entities to create a synergistic approach to 5G IoT satellite connectivity. Sateliot’s cutting-edge LEO satellite constellation seamlessly integrates with KSAT’s advanced ground network services, creating a robust system that ensures reliability, scalability, and global coverage.

Using AWS, Sateliot has built a fully virtualized cloud-native 5G core for Narrowband (NB)-IoT Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), providing flexible, low-cost, and hyper-scalable narrowband solutions supporting Sateliot’s end-to-end service.

Sateliot has marked a significant milestone by establishing its first-ever 5G service connection using KSAT’s Ground Station as a Service (GSaaS) network. This achievement was made possible by integrating Sateliot’s NB-IoT NTN Core Network deployed using AWS with the KSATlite multi-mission solution, which now functions as a 5G point-of-presence
(PoP).

In the context of Sateliot and KSAT’s collaboration, the PoP represents a crucial juncture in the seamless integration of ground and satellite services.

Together, it showcases the versatility and adaptability of Sateliot’s technology, demonstrating that Sateliot does not need to deploy its own dedicated Ground Gateways for Satellite IoT backhaul to provide an end-to-end standard 5G NB-IoT NTN service globally. This provides Sateliot with flexibility in locating its ground stations and super scalability.

The achievement validates further agreements between Sateliot and several stakeholders to improve millions of lives worldwide. During 2023, Sateliot closed agreements with hundreds of IoT solution providers to bring standard 5G satellite connectivity to their industries, revolutionizing and digitizing agriculture, livestock management, and maritime logistics, among others.

Sateliot also counts with an end-to-end service validation with Telefonica and the novel and patented Store and Forward technology. This is a particularly relevant feature for Sateliot’s delay-tolerant IoT services as it allows successful operations from day one, distinguishing the company from other satellite constellations reliant on a continuous link.

Marco Guadalupi, CTO at Sateliot, highlights: “The successful integration of Sateliot’s service into KSATlite solution brings unprecedented infrastructure optimization with fast and reliable data delivery. With KSAT, we reduce global service latency thanks to the strategic locations of their ground stations near the poles, thus allowing us to maximize daily ground contact passes.”

John Heskett, CTO at KSAT, adds:

“This is an exciting expansion of LEO satellite applications, providing a fully compliant 3GPP NB-IoT NTN service. KSAT is proud to have successfully integrated into Sateliot’s architecture, effectively serving as their feeder link gateways and their 5G-POPs. We look forward to Sateliot’s continued success and seeing this sector of the LEO satellite market grow!”

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The new ALT1350, a game-changer for asset trackers and smart utility meters, boasts unmatched low power consumption and advanced location capabilities.

Sony Semiconductor Israel (Sony), a leading provider of cellular IoT chipsets, announced that its advanced ALT1350 Wireless System on Chip (SoC) is now commercially available.

LPWA cellular modules have been designed by our partners and industry leaders AM Telecom, Fibocom, Murata, Quectel, Semtech, Telit Cinterion and Wistron NeWeb Corporation (WNC). The modules are now available for sampling, with mass production expected during the first half of 2024.

The Sony’s Altair ALT1350 is the first cellular LTE-M/NB-IoT SoC to adopt a low-power application MCU, a sensor-hub for data collection and processing, enhanced security, integrated SIM (iSIM) location technology and an additional sub-GHz LPWA/FAN customizable transceiver and NTN communication options in a single chip. It features cellular connected standby mode (eDRX) connectivity at a power consumption of below 3µA, and its overall power consumption performance achieves up to 10 times longer battery life compared to previous generations. The rich feature set and performance of the chipset makes it an ideal solution for smart utility meters and single-chip asset-tracking applications.

The ALT1350 chipset promises unparalleled connectivity options and can support connectivity choices for all industries and markets. In smart cities and utility spaces, the ALT1350 can perform as a low-power cellular modem, a low-power mesh device, and a router between cellular and mesh networks as well as provide multiple connectivity backup options. The rich feature set and performance make it an ideal solution for single-chip asset-tracking applications, bundling multi-tier location services optimized for battery operated devices.

“Commercial adaptation of the ALT1350 SoC by industry leaders demonstrates strong demand for new generation LPWA technology solutions,” said Nohik Semel, CEO of Sony Semiconductor Israel .

“This SoC enables applications for smart cities, logistics and asset trackers, connected health devices, and in the wearables market as it brings in an era of connected everything in which battery consumption is no longer a concern. We are excited to be working with our partners to bring this SoC to the market and help them build innovative products.”

“It has been a great experience developing our connectivity module and network device based on the ALT1350 chipset, collaborating with Sony for the first time,” says Jin Gyu Lee, CMO of AM Telecom.

“This equips us with strong competitive edge in LTE network coverage as well as low cost by processing sub-GHz LPWA and LTE-M on a single SoC using the ALT1350. We believe this is a great opportunity for AM Telecom using small IoT devices based on the ALT1350 chipset which enables technically solving issues such as a battery life, WPS/GPS support, etc., disrupting the spread of IoT communications.”

“We are delighted to propel the 5G LPWA module solution in collaboration with Sony, and we are optimistic to bring empowerment in the application fields in the short term with today’s announcement on the commercial availability of the ALT1350,” said Kevin Guan, Director of MTC Product Marketing at Fibocom.

“Fibocom’s 5G LPWA module MS180 integrated with the ALT1350, adopts an ultra-compact size at 12.8*14.8mm and is designed to provide ultra-low power consumption and reliable wireless connectivity for the 5G massive IoT market. Looking forward, we are confident to empower industries such as smart metering, asset tracking, telematics, telehealth, smart city, and consumer electronics with the best-in-class module solution.”

“The collaboration with Sony, an industry leader in cellular IoT connectivity, ensures that Murata deliver unsurpassed feature integration, security, and system cost in the smallest form factor possible,” said Hirokazu Nakae, General Manager of Connectivity Module Product Department, Murata, “Murata’s ALT1350 module is designed to address specifications of vertical markets such as tracking, metering, wearables, and other emerging markets. Looking forward, it will offer worldwide operator certificates to allow customers to launch their product globally with a single design.”

“We are thrilled to be working closely again with Sony on the integration of Sony’s advanced ALT1350 chipset into our module solutions, underscoring our commitment to driving innovation and delivering superior performance to our customers,” commented Norbert Muhrer, President and CSO, Quectel Wireless Solutions. “Our Quectel BG950S-GL LPWA module will take the rich feature set and performance of the ALT1350 and set a new standard for IoT devices, enabling more efficient, reliable, and seamless communication across the globe. Together, Sony and Quectel are paving the way for a future where smart, connected devices transform every aspect of our lives, from the way we work to how we interact with the world around us.”

“Our long-time partnership with Sony has helped us to shape and innovate in the LPWA market, particularly with metering applications,” said Larry Zibrik, VP and GM of Modules at Semtech. “We are proud to continue our leading role in the evolution of LPWA technology through the use of the Sony’s Altair ALT1350 in our next generation HL7900 5G LPWA module, building on the success of our HL78 series. With the launch of the HL7900, we look forward to pushing boundaries for customers with even more efficient and long-lasting IoT solutions.”

“The low-power, multi-radio capabilities of the ALT1350 unlock a new set of use cases for the vast battery-driven cellular LPWAN and short range wireless IoT application markets,” said Manish Watwani, Chief Marketing and Product Officer at Telit Cinterion. “Telit Cinterion is elated to be part of this inflection point in the industry, introducing a strong lineup of modules, namely the ME310M1 Series, based on the SoC made possible not only by the ALT1350 broad set of advanced features, but also by the strong and longstanding partnership we have with Sony.”

“WNC is very excited to launch a module line based on Sony’s ALT1350 chipset and strengthen a broad, strategic partnership with Sony. WNC’s unique value-add in connectivity modules, antenna design, and turnkey ODM/CM services sets us apart from other module and CM players,” said Fayu Chen, SVP & GM of the Automotive, Module and Antenna Business Group at WNC. “Sony’s Cat-M SoCs are widely regarded as the gold standard in Cat-M technologies. We look forward to the ALT1350’s many cutting-edge features and the new world of opportunities that it will usher in.”

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As our world becomes increasingly connected, technology is often portrayed as a villain, sent to invade our privacy and steal our jobs; however, the real narrative of Internet of Things (IoT) is quite different.

“IoT for Good” – the application of IoT technologies to improve social, economic, and environmental issues – flips the often “doom and gloom” narrative of technology by showcasing positive, real-world applications of IoT in our daily lives.

From making our cities smarter and greener to expanding the scope and reach of healthcare in the face of adversity, connected devices are actively being deployed to make a positive global impact, which comprises the heart and soul of the “IoT for Good” movement.

By 2027, the number of households using IoT-connected devices like smart appliances and smart security cameras is expected to more than double; however, the benefits of these devices extend beyond starting your washing machine from the train. Smart devices not only add convenience to our daily lives, but they can help customers lessen their environmental footprint and save money in the process. From washing machines that track water usage, to thermostats that send automatic alerts when usage goals are exceeded, IoT is taking the guess work out of household energy consumption and enabling customers to save valuable time, money, and resources – all while making the planet a bit greener.

“IoT for Good” is also tackling your dirty work, like taking out the trash. Smart waste container management simplifies waste disposal for residents by tracking the frequency and volume of trash disposal. This information is used to enable wireless monitoring to prevent expensive overages.

Effective waste container management is essential for smart cities aiming to modernize and optimize essential services like waste management. It also facilitates wireless fleet tracking, container volume monitoring, and comprehensive management report generation for cities, towns and private businesses alike. IoT enhances waste management services, benefiting residents and city officials by improving efficiency, environmental friendliness, and cost-effectiveness.

In this case study, the value of “IoT for Good’” is highlighted as residents use chip-enabled swipe cards to access waste bins, while sensors monitor the number of bags disposed. This enables municipalities to automatically bill residents for exceeding their allocated limit and prevents misuse of resident bins by businesses. Additionally, sensors issue alerts when containers reach full capacity, aiding officials in monitoring their waste management fleet, thus minimizing overflow and ensuring uninterrupted service. Real-time data collection, monitoring, and analysis in waste management processes not only boost efficiency and cost-effectiveness, but also promote sustainable and eco-friendly waste handling practices.

IoT also promotes health equity by diversifying the ways patients can access healthcare, which is crucial in the face of pandemics and other threats that further strain already taxed hospital systems. Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) solutions, for example, empower healthcare providers to oversee patients outside of traditional clinical environments, fostering increased care accessibility, cost reduction, and decreased hospital visits. Devices like blood glucose meters, heart rate monitors, and surveillance monitors transmit data via wireless networks to clinicians, enabling hybrid healthcare environments – i.e. virtual wards. These devices utilize IoT connectivity to improve patient outcomes and extend the scope of care provided by clinical staff.

Connected Health (CH) and Telemedicine are crucial companions to RPM, helping to bridge the gap left by the pandemic, our growing aging population, and even conflicts such as the war in Ukraine – all of which are more connected than one might think.

Another case study, GrandPad is a pioneering communication tool tailored for seniors that aims to effortlessly connect them with loved ones and caregivers at the touch of a button. Such devices can also be lifesaving, instantly connecting users to EMS if the need arises. GrandPad enables seniors – as well as those living with disabilities and/or in remote locations – to receive care from the comfort of their own home, avoiding often difficult and costly hospital visits. And in regions devastated by conflict such as Ukraine, where the elderly population has been disproportionately affected, GrandPad bridges the gap by connecting senior refugees with their loved ones.

As divided as the world can often seem, there is one truth that unites us – we’re in this together. Global issues – climate change and pandemics – affect all of us. IoT-powered CH solutions like RPM and telehealth, as well as smart home and waste management solutions, serve the greater good by inching us closer to a sustainable future. IoT-driven sustainability solutions in the private, public, and business sector lay out a blueprint for a brighter tomorrow, wherein technology can be applied to tackle our greatest obstacles. The future is undoubtedly connected, and with the help of initiatives like “IoT for Good,” it can also be one to which we all look forward.

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IoT eSIM connections are expected to grow 43% annually between 2023 and 2030.
New GSMA standards for IoT eSIM are expected to accelerate the adoption of eSIM in IoT as constrained devices benefit from new standards.
China lags in eSIM adoption despite being the largest IoT market in terms of connections.

IoT connections on eSIM are expected to grow at a rapid pace of 43% annually to reach 2.2 billion by 2030, according to a recent report released by Counterpoint Research on the IoT connectivity landscape.

By 2030, almost a third of the IoT connections will be on eSIM or iSIM.

Commenting on the current state of IoT eSIM connections, Associate Director Mohit Agrawal said, “eSIM growth in IoT has lagged behind that in consumer space due to the restrictive M2M eSIM specifications. As a result, at the end of 2023, there were a little less than 200 million eSIM connections in the IoT space despite the excellent product-market fit.”

Agrawal added, “China, the world’s largest IoT market, has low single-digit eSIM penetration due to restrictive regulations around eSIM in the past and the high proportion of LPWA devices which currently do not support eSIM. The eSIM penetration in the rest of the world is much higher than in China but the large IoT base in China brings the overall global eSIM penetration to less than 10%.”

Commenting on the eSIM forecast, Senior Research Analyst Ankit Malhotra said,

“The new GSMA standards for IoT eSIM (SGD.31/32) are expected to bring the eSIM to constrained devices, which is likely to massively push the growth in eSIM and later iSIM.”

“eSIM vendors and IoT connectivity providers have multiple proof of concepts on the new IoT eSIM standards and the big push is likely to happen next year after the test specifications are released by GSMA later this year. The early adopters of eSIM in IoT have been mostly automotive customers as the enterprises have not really been able to change the connectivity provider at will.”

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Starnote will enable unparalleled affordability, accessibility, and reliability with no monthly usage fees or minimums.

Blues, a leader in IIoT technology enabling global connectivity solutions, today announced it is partnering with Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) service operator Skylo Technologies to launch Starnote—an add-on extension to its flagship product Notecard.

Starnote will enable satellite connectivity for Blues’ customers through a streamlined cost model and unparalleled developer accessibility.  

Starnote provides customers with a cost-efficient, reliable module that serves as a backup satellite connectivity option should a customer’s device go beyond the reach of cellular coverage, allowing for ongoing connectivity regardless of the device or location. The extension connects seamlessly to a customer’s already installed Notecard, providing automatic satellite fallback to devices whose primary connectivity is LTE Cat-M, LTE Cat-1, NB-IoT, GPRS, or even Wi-Fi.  

“For developers and enterprises everywhere, satellite connectivity is now a viable option. Starnote is breaking new ground by providing continuous satellite coverage with low data usage costs and no monthly usage fees or minimums. Historically, high pricing and high monthly minimums have kept satellite coverage out of consideration for low-cost, high-volume products. By partnering with Skylo, Blues will fundamentally change the landscape, setting the stage for remarkable growth,” said Ray Ozzie, Founder & CEO of Blues.

“Starnote is so affordable and easy to use that any developer can now develop fixed or mobile solutions for monitoring and remote control without worry about coverage in remote areas. By using the Notecard’s simple API, customer data will automatically transit on the best and least expensive technology available at that moment: Wi-Fi, cellular, or satellite.”  

Today’s global cellular networks are fundamentally designed for high availability ‘where the people are;’ infrastructure investments are made based on population density. This has resulted in challenges for businesses requiring cloud connectivity in remote areas, including smart agriculture, marine telematics, rail, global logistics and shipping, construction, oil and gas, and more. Until now, extremely high satellite connectivity costs have given enterprises no choice but to build and manage their own remote networks, backhauling their data using a broad mix of long-range radio technologies. 

Building upon the novel business model pioneered by Blues’ cellular Notecard product, Starnote is revolutionizing satellite IoT by making it accessible, affordable, and by eliminating monthly fees. With Starnote, customers won’t pay any satellite-related charges when a device is inactive or when it happens to be operating in an area with ample cellular coverage. This eliminates the need for businesses to invest in labor or systems to monitor when devices become active or go inactive, as has traditionally been required for cost-saving purposes. Additionally, each Starnote module is bundled with enough pre-paid data for a year or more, depending upon the application: just power it on, and it works. 

“Skylo is honored to partner with Blues to expand intuitive and affordable satellite connectivity,” said Tarun Gupta, Chief Product Officer and Co-Founder at Skylo Technologies.

“By incorporating satellite data into its regular IoT devices, Blues is able to bring an unprecedented amount of innovation into the IoT ecosystem.”

Blues was attracted to partner with Skylo Technologies because of its proven ability to enable IIoT devices to connect directly over existing satellite constellations having continuous and contiguous coverage. Skylo is among the few NTN connectivity providers to operate on a “connect and send anytime” basis using Geostationary Equatorial Orbit (GEO) constellations, in contrast to the “schedule-and-send when the satellite is overhead” approach employed by carriers utilizing sparse Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations. This “send anytime” approach allows for immediate time-sensitive alerts required when monitoring critical infrastructure or the environment. 

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Single eSIM, connectivity management and invoice, with flexible data plans to maximize device uptime and drive down satellite connectivity costs.

Today, emnify, the leader in cloud-native IoT connectivity solutions, announces the general availability of the industry’s first converged cellular and satellite IoT connectivity on a single emnify IoT eSIM.

SuperNetwork SatPlus is offered as part of the emnify SuperNetwork, the leading IoT cellular connectivity service providing multi-network coverage in over 180 countries.

The SuperNetwork SatPlus package combines emnify’s IoT-dedicated cellular access with Skylo’s non-terrestrial network (NTN) satellite service, enabling IoT device manufacturers, OEMs and application and solution providers to add a new level of service enabled by seamless, satellite connectivity failover for devices outside of, or disconnected from, cellular coverage.

SuperNetwork SatPlus opens up a whole new level of IoT connectivity availability for use cases in asset tracking, fleet management, building safety and security, agriculture, and more. IoT businesses can now differentiate their product and service experience and drive their top line revenues by offering a premium level of data connectivity service: ubiquitous coverage even in the most remote areas.

How SuperNetwork SatPlus works

emnify IoT SuperNetwork SatPlus is available in selected European countries and the USA and includes 10MB of cellular connectivity combined with options for 10, 30 or 60 satellite messages per month. With SatPlus, SuperNetwork customers have the security of ubiquitous, uninterrupted IoT connectivity, with seamless switching to satellite networks as devices leave cellular coverage regions. This converged offering is designed for customers that require high availability and a failover solution to be assured that critical application data, such as a high value asset’s position, will always be transmitted.

By enabling both cellular and satellite network access from a single eSIM, single management platform, and single radio module, SatPlus uplevels customer experience and drives down hardware and connectivity costs as it reduces operational overhead associated with adding satellite connectivity.

“Businesses around the world have had to contend with interruptions in their operations and services due to limited terrestrial network infrastructure and rollouts. Bringing together satellite and cellular coverage as a network of networks fills in the blank spaces on the terrestrial coverage map and provides an additional layer of connectivity backup. emnify is excited to be the first to commercially offer this enhanced level of truly global connectivity as part of the expanding emnify IoT SuperNetwork,” said Frank Stoecker, CEO and emnify Co-Founder.

“We are excited to accelerate the availability of the industry’s first converged NTN satellite and cellular connectivity offering through our partnership with emnify,” said Tarun Gupta, CPO and Co-Founder, Skylo.

“By delivering satellite and cellular connectivity in a single service, we’re helping IoT businesses increase the reliability and reduce the complexity of IoT connectivity, with a single provider, billing plan, and hardware configuration.”

emnify partners up with leading providers of purpose-built hardware

SatPlus is compatible with market-leading, affordable, converged hardware modules from Murata and IoT chipsets from Sony Semiconductor Israel (Sony), conforming with standard form factors and suitable for a variety of device sizes and designs.

“Designed for cellular IoT applications, the ALT1250 is engineered for devices which prioritize battery life, small size, and global coverage. The 4G/5G LPWA chipset supports 2G, CAT-M, NB-IoT and NB NTN connectivity options and is built to meet the needs of IoT device manufacturers looking to provide new levels of uptime and global coverage across business-critical use cases,” said Dima Feldman, VP Product Management and Marketing at Sony Semiconductor Israel. “Our collaboration with emnify, Murata and Skylo takes our vision forward, enabling IoT devices to connect everywhere.”

Module provider Murata is offering the Type 1SC radio module evaluation board including antenna and application development kit compatible with the SuperNetwork SatPlus service.

“The Type 1SC radio module combined with the Sony ALT1250 chipset and the emnify IoT eSIM provides a compact, low cost, CAT-M & NB-IoT module for a new breed of devices that support both cellular and satellite network protocols to provide global coverage for any type of device,” said Hirokazu Nakae, General Manager, Connectivity Module Product Department at Murata.

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Semtech Corporation, a high-performance semiconductor, IoT systems, and cloud connectivity service provider, today announces the AirLink® XR60 5G Router Solution, a breakthrough in networking technology designed to offer 5G and Wi-Fi 6 performance in an ultra-compact and ultra-rugged design for highly demanding environments.

“Celebrating this release is particularly special for us at Semtech, formerly Sierra Wireless. The AirLink® XR60 isn’t just any router – it’s the next evolution in 5G technology. Rising 5G adoption is paving the way for a more diverse array of applications, underlining the need for versatile and easy-to-install solutions. Our customers, particularly those in public safety and utilities, have expressed a clear requirement for routers that aren’t just technologically advanced, but are also small, rugged and reliable under extreme conditions. The XR60 embodies our continued commitment to these sectors, ensuring that we’re not only meeting but exceeding the expectations and demands of those who rely on us the most,” explains Tom Mueller, EVP and GM of IoT System Products Group at Semtech.

Revolutionary Design Brings 5G to More Places Than Ever Before

The XR60 builds on the highly rugged AirLink Pro Series design. Its ultra-compact design facilitates a smooth transition to 5G for industrial and utility customers who won’t need to redesign existing installations. It also simplifies deployments in equipment-filled public safety vehicles.

“With its combination of ruggedness and ultra-compact size, the XR60 is a game-changer for applications both in challenging environments and where physical space is limited, including critical infrastructure, video surveillance, smart cities and public safety vehicles. This robust yet compact design is what truly sets the XR60 apart, enabling new possibilities in highly challenging edge applications,” says David Markland, Vice President of AirLink Networking Solutions at Semtech.

Advanced Technology Brings High-Performance Connectivity and Longevity

The AirLink® XR60 sets new standards in broadband performance, combining 5G, Wi-Fi 6, 5 Gbps Ethernet and USB-C support for high-speed and efficient local and wide area network data transfers. This is critical for vehicle applications that demand low latency for web-apps and high-speed performance for video streaming, for example.

But the XR60 isn’t just about performance; it also embodies Semtech’s commitment to longevity. This new-generation router — powered by AirLink® OS — combines 5G performance with modern networking features like edge computing and Cognitive Wireless, Semtech’s patented technology for intelligent hot failover and traffic steering. It also provides extensive support for both public and private 5G and LTE bands, making it an adaptable solution for various applications.

“We are excited to integrate the XR60 into our network portfolio of rugged field proven AirLink products. It will extend and protect our network investments as carriers migrate their services to 5G,” explains John Nachilly, Manager of Network Strategy and Architecture at Eversource.

Network and Security Management

Integrating critical assets into network infrastructure involves much more than simply deploying routers; it demands a comprehensive approach to network control and security. The AirLink® XR60 addresses this need by including 1 year of AirLink Complete, a holistic service package that brings together advanced remote device and security management via the AirLink Management Service (ALMS) platform, and peace of mind through 24/7 technical support and hardware warranty.

To make 5G upgrades even more seamless, Semtech is thrilled to unveil the AirLink XR60 5-Year Complete Promotion. With this program, customers that purchase and register an AirLink XR60 router in 2024 will benefit from an extension of their AirLink Complete subscription from one year to five years.

XR60 Solution Key Benefits:

High Performance: Equipped with 5G, Wi-Fi 6, 5Gbps Ethernet and USB-C technologies.
Ultra-Compact Design: Ideal for space-constrained industrial settings and vehicle applications.
Ultra-rugged Design: MIL-STD-810H grade shock and vibration resilience, extreme temperature and humidity operating range, intrinsic safety (C1D2) and power redundancy.
Future-Proofing: New-gen solution with flexible software-defined routing functions and multi-band support.
Edge Intelligence: Industry-standard container support for superior computing capabilities (beta program)
Long-term support and remote management with 5 years of AirLink Complete offered to all XR60 routers purchased and registered in 2024.

Availability

The AirLink® XR60 5G cellular router is now available commercially. It is certified on AT&T and being certified on other 5G networks globally.

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