UPDATED 01:15 EDT / MARCH 31 2017

EMERGING TECH

Verizon launches dedicated high-speed network for Internet of Things

Telecommunications giant Verizon Communications Inc. on Friday will launch a nationwide high-speed network to offer wireless access solutions for Internet of Things devices.

Verizon says its 4G LTE Category M1 is a wide area network designed for IoT sensors that requires less power than normal networks. It enables longer battery lives and supports IoT devices such as consumer electronics, water meters and asset trackers, and delivers broader, more consistent coverage, the company said. That includes being able to reach areas such as basements or devices buried underground.

Cat M1 will compete with similar networks from smaller operators such as LoRa, Sigfox and Narrowband IoT. However, Verizon has a couple of big advantages in that its Cat M1 network is the first to roll out nationwide, and can also run on licensed spectrum (as can Narrowband IoT), while the others use unlicensed spectrum. In addition, the company hopes Cat M1 will also compete against Bluetooth, ZigBee and Z-Wave, which are wireless local area network technologies used to connect devices such as thermostats and appliances such as washing machines and dryers.

Another possible advantage comes on the security side. Developers who build their IoT applications and devices using Verizon’s ThingSpace platform can leverage the company’s tools to build stronger security measures into their products. Moreover, the Cat M1 network can securely connect to IoT devices automatically, without the need for a password.

“As the natural shift from CDMA-based IoT solutions to the more robust and cloud-based LTE technology occurs, it’s important we stay ahead of that technology evolution for our customers so we can continue to provide them service on the best and most advanced wireless network,” said Mike Haberman, network vice president at Verizon. “Our commercial deployment of the nationwide LTE Cat M1 network does just that.”

One potential stumbling block for Verizon’s Cat M1 network could be its relatively high cost. While Verizon advertises low-cost $2 per month data plans for Cat M1 connected devices, with additional options for volume purchases, other competing networks are still thought to be priced much lower. At the Low Power Wide Area Network conference in Paris last week, a survey by network provider Actility found the average costs to connect devices to LPWAN networks are closer to $1 per month.

Verizon also faces competition from rival telecommunications firm AT&T Inc., which is set to roll out its own Cat M1 network in the first half of this year.

Image: Verizon

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