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IoT (Internet Of Things)

Current Status

This page is to track the activities for various players from chipset vendor through network operators about IoT/M2M area.

==> Now most of the information on this page is not 'current' any more (as of Apr 2021). Most of the information listed here is for 2016/2017. I think IoT had been hot topics several years upto 2017 and started being quiter since 2018 (Check When to come page if you are interested). When I say 'IoT' in this context, I am referring to 'Cellular' or 'LoWPAN' type of IoT which used to be the biggest buzzwords until a few years ago. (NOTE : I think the number of IoT devices based on Wired and Wireless LAN have been steadly increased. Most of large office electronics (like big / high end copy machine) has been connected to internet for many years, now you would see even small electronics like small / low end electronics like home printers is WiFi enabled. In addition, the thermostat system (e.g, Google Nest / Home) based on WiFi would be a big addition to IoT device)

==> With the introduction of 5G and some satellite communication system for IoT service, it seems that the word IoT started being heard more frequently than before (e.g, 2018,2019 etc) but not as often as the period before 2017. Still need to wait to see how it evolves. Is it going to die completely ? or revive ?

Overall Status

What kind of Devices will be connected to the network ? How many of those devices will be connected ? The current status and projected towards 2021 are as in the following table. (Data came from ref [1]). As you see here, PC/laptop/tablet, Mobile phone, Fixed phone are already almost staturated and M2M and Consumer electronics(non cellular) will be expanded drastically in next 5 years (from 2015). M2M (non-cellular) would be the area that will expand the most.

Device Type	2015 (Billions)	2021(Billions)
M2M: non-cellular	2.6	10.7
M2M and consumer electronics; cellular	0.4	1.5
Consumer electronics; non-cellular	1.6	3.1
PC/laptop/tablet	2.4	2.8
Mobile phones	7.1	8.7
Fixed phones	1.3	1.4

In the past several month (as of Mar 2017), I have seen several promosing events and trends that make me think 'I am not sure exactly when we see IoT as many dreamers are talking about, but at least it seems that something tangible (touchable) trends are happening in this area'. Those things that attracted my attention were

Softband aquired ARM at one of the largest investment and Qualcomm aquired QNX
Qualcomm aquired NXP
The demand in Memory chip reached another peak
So many different types of embedded board and modules are available at very low price (You may easily get an embedded board to play with.. at a price of a fastfood meal).

However there are still many things that has a pretty long way to go (just in my personal opinion). Followings are some of these list

IoT module based on Cellular technology is still too expensive (When I say 'expensive', it means the price for single quantity purchase is too high). In case of GSM module, you may get it under 20 USD. However, you would need to spend at least over 50 ~100 USD for 3G. LTE based IoT module is not even readily available.
Even when I have IoT end-device, it is still hard to find IoT platform that are readily available with super low cost or free and also with very easy interface.

AT&T

< Status as of Jan 2016 >

The information listed here is from ref [2]. (This is very good report providing various important numbers and statistics for current status and future propect.)

Currently 25 million non-communication devices are already connected to AT&T network
In next three years, around 20 billion devices will be connected to internet and less than 50% will use cellular network.
So far, most of AT&T's non-communication devices have connected to its 2G network using the carrier's global SIM cards.
The global SIM is supported by 600 operator networks to more than 200 countries
Major application for these non-communication devices are factory equipment, farm equipment, ships, watches and vehicles.
In 2015, AT&T signed more than 300 agreements to connect the devices in the automotive, industrial, healthcare, shipping, home security and municipal sectors.
Of the 25 million IoT devics now connected to its networks, 5.8 million are connected cars(one million of these were added during the third quarter of 2015).
In early 2016, it would be launching a smart city framework in Atlanta, Dallas and Chicago.
Early 2016, the carrier would be launching lower-power Category 1 LTE-only chipset solution for IoT.
Connecting 280,000 refrigerated containers for Maersk (Shipping company). Each remote container device are using 3G SIM card, a GPS unit, a ZigBee radio and interface for connecting into the refrigerated container's controller.
Created a remote patient monitoring solution that is designed to link caregivers and patients based on mobile devices, Bluetooth peripherals and cloud-based software.

< Status as of Jun 2016 >

Out of their 28+ million connected devices, in service, transportation-related IoT applications account for around 2 million units in North America. (Ref [29])
Around 8 million cars are connected to the network (Ref [34])

< Status as of Aug 2016 >

Announced a AT&T IoT Starter Kit (Ref [34])

Verizon

< Status as of Jan 2016 >

The information listed here is from ref [2]. (This is very good report providing various important numbers and statistics for current status and future propect.)

The carrier said its IoT-related business generated $495 million in revenue during the first three quarters of 2015.
Verizon has focused on aftermarket solutions like Hum and Delphi Connect (whereas AT&T has partnered with automakers)
It forsees 80% of the revene in IoT coming from application, 15% coming from platforms and just 5% coming from connectivity.
The carrier will add a dedicated core network that is optimized for Category 1 devices.
The carrier is working with LTE modem maker Sequans for Category 1 solutions.
This year, Verizon launched an IoT patform called ThingSpace to give developers a common language for IoT apps.

< Status as of Sep 2016 >

Verizon announced that it will deploy LTE-M1 around the end of 2016

< Status as of Apr 2017 >

Verizon launches national IoT network

Qualcomm

MDM9207-1 that support 2G / 3G / LTE Category 1 and PSM (Ref [27] )
MDM9206 chipset supports LTE Category-M1 (the lower powered 1 Mbps connection at 1.4 MHz) and LTE Category-M2 (500 Kbps download, 40 Kbps upload at the 180 kHz mode and designed for the Internet of Things) (Ref [28], [31])

SK Telecom

< Status as of Jan 2016 >

The information listed here is from ref [2]. (This is very good report providing various important numbers and statistics for current status and future propect.)

Invest in Sigfox
created an IoT Platform called ThingPlug based on OneM2M standards.
Working to interconnect its smart home platform with those of SamSung and LG.
In partnership with Nokia, the carrier has completed over-the-air trails of low-power LTE, using Nokia's Flexi Multiradio 10 base station and IoT devices provided by GCT Semiconductor.
Created a building energy management system and factory energy management system to mointor and control lighting, air conditioning and heating

< Status as of Jul 2016 >

Completed Nation Wide IoT network based on LoRa and LTE-M (Ref [30])

Telefonica

< Status as of Jan 2016 >

The information listed here is from ref [2]. (This is very good report providing various important numbers and statistics for current status and future propect.)

Invest in Sigfox
Developed a platform called 'Thinking Things' that includes hardware with embedded Telifonica SIM cards, APIs for developers, and web and mobile interfaces
The company provided seafood dirstributer Ansomar with a "black box" IoT solution to monitor temperature, location, driving behavior.

Orange

< Status as of Jan 2016 >

The information listed here is from ref [2]. (This is very good report providing various important numbers and statistics for current status and future propect.)

will deploy a nationwide IoT network based on long range radio technology
investing in an IoT service platform provider Actility
sponsoring LoRa (Long Range radio) Alliance
working on a cellular IoT trails with Ericsson using 900 Mhz spectrum
announced a '4G Kit for IoT' powered by Sequans LTE chipset and radio technolgy from Alcatel Lucent (Nokia)

Silver Spring Networks

< Status as of Jan 2016 >

The information listed here is from ref [2]. (This is very good report providing various important numbers and statistics for current status and future propect.)

Connects smartmeters using the IEEE 802.15.4g, called Wi-SUN
Claims to have 22 million connected divices
Now opening its application programming interface to developers

< Status as of Jan 2016 >

The information listed here is from ref [2]. (This is very good report providing various important numbers and statistics for current status and future propect.)

describes itself as "the world's digital industrial company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected". <== hinting something.. but no details are known.

Bosch

< Status as of Jan 2016 >

The information listed here is from ref [2]. (This is very good report providing various important numbers and statistics for current status and future propect.)