Operator Announces Key Pilot as New IoT Technology Gains Momentum

AT&T are the latest operator to make steps forward in licensed low power wide area (LPWA) networks, having recently announced a new LPWA trial.
AT&T, equipment manufacturer Sierra Wireless and several technology organisations are to undertake trials of LTE-M low power technology in IoT devices in the San Francisco Bay Area in November 2016.
AT&T are one of many operators committed to such pilots, whilst a number of other operators -such as Orange, Vodafone, Etisalat and Deutsche Telekom-  have already commenced LPWA trials.
As the IoT develops, there is an increasing demand for LPWA solutions which support low power consumption, use low data rates and operate in hard to reach or remote locations.
Mobile network operators are quickly discovering that they may have the edge in this market by virtue of their ability to provide connectivity in licensed spectrum, which is more secure and reliable than the unlicensed alternative.
Operators’ prospects have been boosted by the standardisation of three cellular-based LPWA technologies (NB-IoT, EC-GSM-IoT and LTE MTC Cat-M1), which effectively aligns the mobile industry behind common and complementary LPWA technologies.
Licensed LPWA is increasingly recognised as a source of reoccurring revenue for operators, and it would seem that the more operators invest in this space, the more likely the LPWA market will consolidate around licensed standards. Indeed, analyst house Machina Research recently released research which upgraded the prospects of the LPWA market consolidating around licensed standards.