LTE-M is poised to dominate the Internet of Things (IoT) for years to come, replacing GSM and CDMA protocols. One reason is the cost ― to date, cellular technologies have not been optimised for IoT deployments, leading to higher hardware and operational costs.
LTE-M is a bi-directional, standards-based protocol within the same spectrum as LTE. It provides carrier-grade security, long battery life, and low-cost modules. Another strength is that LTE-M does not need a new infrastructure as it can piggyback on existing LTE networks. As such, a carrier can update software on its network to enable LTE-M, with savings that can be passed directly to the customer. LTE-M is a much simpler technology than standard LTE and it offers unique capabilities that significantly extend battery life. For most IoT devices, operating in a low throughput LTE-M environment is not an issue as they are only sending small amounts of data on an intermittent schedule. However, there can be issues when sending large amounts of data (for example, an OTA firmware update) while bandwidth constrained. The resulting network congestion can lead to high failure rates, thereby prolonging the time-to-update as well as increasing costs. With the Fusion IoT Network connectivity-aware APIs, these issues can be avoided, ensuring that the update campaign is conducted efficiently and quickly, with complete information about the underlying network status. LTE-M is today’s standard, meeting security and power conservation levels suited for deployments in multiple business sectors. With low-cost modules, extended battery life, better signal penetration, and the ability to use existing infrastructure, LTE-M has the potential to improve all IoT business models.
Launching New IoT Programmes
Get to market faster using the best connectivity network for your needs. Investing and planning a large-scale project can be daunting as enterprises have high expectations for their IoT business. That’s why it’s vital to make smart investment choices about infrastructure now, in advance, to ensure future viability and success. Aeris connectivity solutions are designed from the ground up exclusively for the rigours of IoT, not retrofitted from an existing consumer system. Aeris provides a single portal for managing every device — one login for billing, support, APIs, VPN, and more. And everything is backed by our top-rated customer support teams dedicated to your success.
Transitioning to New Technologies
Gain optimal efficiencies and new functionality with the latest IoT networks, such as LTE-M. Whether you are dealing with a technology sunset, wanting to lower hardware and battery costs, or just trying to reduce overall operating costs, the Aeris Fusion IoT Network provides the pathway to higher functionality with greater cost savings. It is a dynamic and flexible connectivity solution that adapts to a rapidly changing environment. And it comes with the highest level of support in the industry.
Replacing 2G/3G Technologies
There are many reasons companies switch technologies: Sunsetting of older technologies, controlling costs, or simply improving your IoT deployment. Businesses will need to look past the protocols and technologies of today and deploy a solution that’s future-proof ― dynamic, flexible, and adaptable. Adopt next-gen connectivity technologies (LTE, LTE-M, NB-IoT) to improve cost and functionality of any IoT business model. That’s the Aeris Fusion IoT Network.
Improving Your IoT Deployment
With the Aeris Fusion IoT Network, you stay ahead of the competition with industry-leading, cost-effective, and flexible cellular IoT solutions. Expanding to new coverage areas is made simple by managing multiple networks through Fusion’s unified dashboard. All in all, customers save 60% in connectivity costs, reduce over-the-air (OTA) update charges by 50%, and achieve 30% faster problem resolution. With the Distribution Channel Package, customers simplify a complex, business-critical function by creating an organised and secure environment for managing IoT solutions. The delegated billing and reporting capabilities result in a reduction of operational costs for OEMs. The Aeris Fusion IoT Network lets you do all this and more.
Data and Device Security
Any device that is connected to the internet is at risk of being hijacked. That’s the standard assumption. Businesses deploying IoT solutions are responsible for protecting data and devices, as well as any corporate proprietary data. In the context of IoT, privacy and security protocols need to ensure that access is limited only to appropriate and authorised personnel. To that end, the Aeris Fusion IoT Network provides in-depth data and device security, including:
ConnectionLock™
ConnectionLock prevents access to unauthorised endpoints or IP addresses, creating an additional layer of security for IoT devices. If the SIM card is stolen from the device, Aeris ConnectionLock ensures that the SIM card can connect to no other IP address or URL.
- Connect, send, receive only to/from preselected IP addresses or endpoints.
- ConnectionLock acts as an additional firewall within the Aeris Fusion IoT Network.
- Aeris SIM cards cannot connect to other devices, thereby reducing security risks.
- Our solution is implemented at the network level, without added complexity or work for the customer.
Connectivity-Aware OTA APIs
Over-the-air (OTA) updates can be deployed to thousands of IoT devices at once rather than requiring each device in the field to be manually modified. OTA updates eliminate the need to send technicians into the field, save owners time and money, and make IoT deployments vastly more scalable. The ability to make changes to many devices remotely is important, especially for operators of large-scale IoT deployments where updating devices manually would be a nearly impossible
- Up to 50% reduction in time-to-completion for OTA campaigns.
- Up to 50% reduction in OTA failure rates and data costs.
- Scale for large deployments with ease.
- Significantly reduce manual operations.
Visibility and Control
The Aeris Fusion IoT Network provides robust IoT lifecycle management, bound together with heightened customer support. Device traffic management provides customers with the ability to analyse performance and cost drivers and, when combined with alerts management, allows for a wide range of pre-defined or option-driven system alerts and reports, thereby ensuring optimum performance. Additional Aeris Fusion IoT Network functionalities include:
AerPort / APIs
The Aeris AerPort™ dashboard provides a single portal for managing global deployments, including end-to-end device lifecycle management, billing status, connectivity analytics, and access to customer support. Aeris also offers a rich set of REST APIs, enabling easy integration into other management frameworks.
IoT Analytics
By identifying devices with connectivity issues, analysing usage activity, and focusing on outliers or devices behaving abnormally, you can reduce equipment outages and downtime, resulting in decreased business expenditures. The Fusion IoT Network Analytics capabilities find insights, issues, and potential security vulnerabilities before you do.
IoT Billing
The Fusion IoT Network’s robust billing functionality enables a high level of flexibility in enabling new business models, including delegated billing to distribution partners and diverse rollover and pooling policies.
Whether you’re new to IoT or a veteran of the industry, Aeris can help you get connected.
Visit www.aeris.com or follow us on Twitter @AerisM2M to learn how we can inspire you to create new business models and to participate in the revolution of the Internet of Things.