Dallas, Oct. 6, 2016: AT&T said it is working with technology leaders to show how new LTE-M technology will bring the Internet of Things (IoT) to a new generation of devices and markets.
The telecom giant plans to pilot the LTE-M network in the San Francisco market starting this November. LTE-M technology will connect a wide variety of IoT solutions such as smart utility meters, asset monitoring, vending machines, alarm systems, fleet, heavy equipment, mHealth and wearables.
Key features expected from LTE-M are:
- Lower costs for modules that connect IoT devices to the LTE network
- Longer battery life; up to 10 years for certain enabled IoT devices
- Better coverage for IoT devices underground and deep inside buildings
“We have pulled together players from across the ecosystem to pilot solutions for a myriad of industries and applications,” said Chris Penrose, Senior Vice President, Internet of Things Solutions, AT&T, in a press release. “LTE-M will provide a unique combination of enhanced coverage and longer battery life with carrier-grade security. It’s part of our strategy to offer the widest range of IoT network options to our customers.”
Participants in the pilot will include:
Badger Meter – analyze how the LTE-M network, which is dedicated to supporting the IoT, may be used to enhance communications for smart water devices
CalAmp – explore how the LTE-M network can help companies more efficiently manage their connected vehicles and assets
Capstone Metering – demonstrate how LTE-M can improve smart cities sensor technologies. It will look to increase battery life and improve connectivity and sensor monitoring for underground smart water meters
PepsiCo — examine and test ways that sensors can improve the in-store experience with smart vending solutions for the thousands of PepsiCo products
Samsung – evaluate an LTE-M-based solution to enhance performance for consumer solutions. This may include wearables or other consumer devices
The pilot will also include solutions from a robust contingent of technology providers: Altair, Ericsson, Qualcomm Technologies Inc., Sierra Wireless, u-blox, Wistron NeWeb Corp. (WNC), and Xirgo Technologies.