Licensed Spectrum Is Key To The Success Of LPWA Networks In IoT
OPINION: GSMA executive director discusses the future of LPWA networks in an IoT world and why licensed spectrum is the answer
Who’s using it?
We are starting to see momentum in the market with 11 live commercial network deployments in Europe, Asia, US, China and Australia by 13 operators to date as well as a number of pilots and trials.
One industry which has already seen a lot of uptake is the utilities industry. LPWA networks bring connectivity to utility meters beyond the reach of existing wireless solutions, enabling energy and water grids to become smarter and more efficient.
Because LPWA devices transmit relatively low amounts of data, the overall cost of the solution is kept to a minimum, meaning that the technology can be retrofitted at relatively low cost.
LPWA also gives water companies the ability to remotely monitor water usage in many below ground locations, meaning they can take readings more regularly and will become less dependent on manual or drive by readings.
Of course, like most things, LPWA adoption will depend on its cost effectiveness. Luckily in this respect, there are a number of ways in which LPWA has the edge over conventional solutions.
Existing mobile-enabled remote monitoring solutions such as AT&T’s HydroPoint have proved their value by saving customers $137 million dollars and 15 billion gallons of water in 2015 alone.
AT&T and Ericsson are also trialling the use of low cost connected sensors to remotely monitor the temperature, conductivity and turbidity of the Chattahoochee river, which supplies four million people with drinking water in the south of the U.S. Vodafone and water group, Aguas de Valencia are also trialing smart meters that can monitor customers’ water usage in near real-time, cutting costs and helping to balance supply and demand.
Role of the operator
Critical to all of this is the role of the operator. Operators can integrate LPWA connectivity into their existing IoT platforms and achieve further economies of scale, lowering prices and enabling new IoT applications.
When it comes to selecting a LPWA network provider, businesses require reliability, continuity and a provider they can trust. With proven, secure and reliable end-to-end IoT platforms, as well as vast experience in handling millions of connections and securing data mobile networks, operators are the obvious candidates.
They already have extensive tower networks and backhaul capacity, and can offer IoT customers domestic as well as international network coverage. They can even reuse their existing infrastructure and licensed spectrum to support LPWA networks.
There are already numerous trials and pilots from our members underway that will speed up the development of services using this technology and get them out into the open market and we look forward to supporting the development of the IoT with secure LPWA networks in licensed spectrum.
From monitoring grapes in a vineyard and cows in a field, through to smart bikes being able to monitor road terrain, it is clear that LPWA is going to change the lives of consumers and businesses alike, and telecoms operators have the unqiue opportunity to lead the way.
