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Gartner estimates that 4.9 billion connected devices will be in use by the end of this year, and that number is expected to rise to more than 25 billion by 2020. Current networks are under strain from the rapid expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT). While new technologies are being developed to meet demand, software solutions can optimize existing infrastructure in the meantime.
Ericsson today introduced a suite of software enhancements designed to reduce barriers to widespread IoT adoption. The company highlights three main benefits of the new release:
Lower IoT device costs – The software adds support for LTE Category 0 with half-duplex operation in FDD, intentionally limiting device functionality to the essentials required by many IoT use cases, such as large-scale sensors and smart meters. By reducing device complexity, manufacturers can cut costs by up to 60 percent compared with Category 4 devices.
Extended battery life – Achieving a 10-year battery life is a goal for 5G-era devices, and Ericsson’s software includes two energy-efficiency upgrades that bring that target within reach for current IoT products. The Device Power-saving Mode for LTE & GSM introduces a deep sleep state for devices, and Extended Discontinuous Reception (DRX) for GSM lengthens sleep cycles when devices are idle.
Improved indoor and remote coverage – Extended coverage software for GSM delivers about a 20 dB improvement, which translates into roughly a sevenfold increase in range for low-data-rate applications. This enhancement enables IoT solutions to function reliably in remote locations and deep inside buildings or underground.
Another key feature is IoT QoS Admission Control for GSM, which enables operators to prioritize network resources across diverse IoT deployments. During periods of heavy traffic, critical devices—such as those related to public safety—can be given priority over less essential, entertainment-focused devices.
Arun Bansal, Senior Vice President and Head of Business Unit Radio at Ericsson, said the company is accelerating IoT growth on existing LTE and GSM networks to provide a global foundation for a wide range of consumer, industrial, and government applications, from smart cities to connected farms.
Bansal added that Ericsson is collaborating with national and multinational operators like SK Telecom and Orange, as well as ecosystem partners such as Intel, to co-create end-to-end IoT network and device solutions built on reliable, globally scalable, standards-based systems and services. He said these innovations position mobile operators on the path toward 5G.
Although cellular networks already cover roughly 90 percent of the world’s population, many networks are not yet optimized for IoT and interoperability remains a challenge. Ericsson is partnering with major technology firms, including Intel and IoT module and platform vendors such as Altair, Sequans, and Telit, to improve network performance for IoT rollouts.
Alain Maloberti, Senior Vice President of Orange Labs Networks at Orange, welcomed Ericsson’s collaboration with leading ecosystem players and noted that addressing cost, coverage, and battery life is essential to enable broader mass adoption of IoT applications. He said he believes the best is yet to come.
Do you think Ericsson’s software will help manage IoT devices? Let us know in the comments.