Neue announces its sensor as a service offering that integrates world-leading security out-of-the-box from Kigen to dramatically reduce key product development hurdles for companies seeking cutting-edge connectivity solutions, enabling the development of groundbreaking connected products.

The combination of the solutions that address two principal challenges faced by product designers looking to industrialize always-on, connected products, the no-code, quick path offers significant speed-to-market.

Empowering Connected Products:

Neue, celebrated for its innovative IoT platform, has teamed up with Kigen, a leading expert in securing connected solutions. The collaboration empowers clients globally using the Neue iEnbl, ensuring that wherever there is a need for a SIM, eSIM, or iSIM, these are readily available from the very start in a way that extends to full-scale deployments.

This partnership sets the stage for developing a wide array of new connected products and services, from smart devices to industrial IoT solutions and beyond. The Neue iEnbl has been adopted by 30 customers at various stages, from prototyping to large scale deployments, and is now generally available. The versatile suite of technologies packed in the Neue iEnbl hardware, iSIM enablement, and no-code software reduces on average, between 6-12 months of development time. Customers can leverage manufacturing expertise from Neue’s and Kigen’s mutual partner, Flex.

The collaboration combines the strengths offering:

1. Seamless Connectivity: Effortlessly integrate SIM, eSIM, and iSIM technologies into products and services using the Neue iEnbl that support a number of connectivity options: LTE Cat-M, NB-IoT, 5G, WiFi, BLE 4.2, RS-232/RS-485, GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou).

2. Security: Leverage Kigen’s secure OS for all types of eSIM and iSIM, with expertise in secure connectivity to guarantee data protection and reliability in an increasingly connected world.

A Unified Vision:

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Kigen to pioneer a no-code path to the era of innovative connected products”, remarked Fredrik Wanhainen, CEO of Neue. “Leveraging iSIM resonates with our vision of democratizing IoT with the Neue iEnbl, a complete sensor as service solution and Playground creation environment, empowering our clients to create connected products and services that break new ground.”

“The promise of the integrated iSIM is to unleash secure connected solutions for any company, independent of their experience in cellular,” affirmed Vincent Korstanje, CEO of Kigen.

“Together, we are empowering customers who are building the future of IoT and AI with security that’s ever-present and available out of the box, opening up new frontiers for connected experiences.”

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The realm of Internet of Things (IoT) is witnessing a remarkable transformation, particularly in the field of remote monitoring. Advanced IoT connectivity solutions are not merely an add-on but a core component driving efficiency and innovation across industries.

The deployment of IoT in remote monitoring has revolutionized various industries, transitioning from an innovative concept to a cornerstone of business operations. In healthcare, IoT devices are being utilized to monitor patients remotely, drastically improving patient care by enabling continuous health monitoring and rapid response to emergencies.

In manufacturing, sensors and connected devices provide a constant stream of data on equipment performance, leading to enhanced operational efficiency and predictive maintenance capabilities. Similarly, in agriculture, IoT technology is used to monitor crop conditions, automating irrigation, and optimizing resource usage. These applications are just the beginning, as IoT connectivity continues to open new frontiers in remote monitoring, driving smarter decision-making and elevating overall efficiency across diverse sectors.

Pioneering Innovations: Multi-IMSI Smart SIMs and Beyond

A pivotal innovation reshaping the IoT landscape is the advent of multi-IMSI smart SIMs. These advanced SIM cards, equipped with the ability to connect to multiple International Mobile Subscriber Identities (IMSIs), are revolutionizing IoT connectivity. By facilitating seamless network switching, they ensure uninterrupted data flow – a critical requirement for remote monitoring in areas like healthcare, where consistent data transmission can be lifesaving, and in industrial applications where real-time monitoring can prevent costly downtimes.

The versatility of multi-IMSI smart SIMs extends beyond just reliable connectivity. They offer enhanced flexibility for IoT devices operating across different geographical regions. This is particularly beneficial for global enterprises, where devices need to stay connected across various network territories. The technology also supports scalability, allowing businesses to expand their IoT infrastructure without the logistical complexity of negotiating with multiple network providers.

Furthermore, these SIMs come with sophisticated management platforms, providing administrators with unparalleled control over their IoT devices. Features like remote provisioning, real-time usage monitoring, and advanced security protocols make these SIMs indispensable in the modern IoT ecosystem.

By integrating multi-IMSI smart SIMs, businesses can not only elevate their operational efficiency but also unlock new opportunities for innovation and growth. The technology’s adaptability makes it a cornerstone for future IoT developments, paving the way for more connected, efficient, and responsive systems across all sectors.

Transforming Industrial Operations

In the industrial sector, IoT connectivity‘s role transcends mere monitoring. By integrating IoT sensors into machinery, industries can access a wealth of real-time data, revealing critical insights into equipment health and operational efficiency. This advanced monitoring enables predictive maintenance, preemptively identifying potential issues before they escalate into costly breakdowns. It also refines maintenance schedules, eliminating unnecessary routine checks, saving time, and reducing expenses.

In the realm of supply chain management, IoT’s impact is equally transformative. IoT-enabled devices precisely track the location and condition of goods in transit, offering a level of transparency and control previously unattainable. This real-time tracking optimizes logistics, from warehouse management to delivery, ensuring a seamless flow of operations.
Moreover, the comprehensive data collected facilitates informed decision-making, leading to smarter, more efficient supply chains. Ultimately, IoT connectivity in industrial operations is not just about technological advancement; it is about redefining efficiency and productivity in a connected world.

Navigating Challenges: Security and Network Reliability

As IoT connectivity expands, it brings with it complex challenges in cybersecurity and network reliability. The vast network of interconnected IoT devices, while efficient, also opens doors to potential security vulnerabilities.
To counter these risks, implementing robust security protocols is imperative. This means not only employing advanced encryption techniques but also ensuring secure authentication processes and conducting regular firmware updates to protect against evolving cyber threats. Additionally, the use of sophisticated intrusion detection systems and continuous security monitoring plays a critical role in safeguarding IoT networks.

In terms of network reliability, consistent, high-quality connectivity is vital, especially in remote or challenging environments. Here, the use of multi-IMSI smart SIMs and other advanced connectivity solutions helps maintain a stable connection. These technologies adapt to varying network conditions, ensuring that IoT devices remain online and functional.

The integration of redundant network paths and failover mechanisms further enhances network resilience, ensuring that connectivity is maintained even in the event of a network failure. Addressing these challenges effectively combines cutting-edge technological solutions with rigorous security and network management practices.

Future Trajectory: The Role of 5G and Emerging Technologies

The advent of 5G technology marks a significant milestone for IoT connectivity. With its higher bandwidth and lower latency, 5G is set to enhance the efficiency of IoT applications, enabling the handling of vast data volumes at unprecedented speeds.

This advancement will facilitate more complex and responsive IoT systems, from autonomous vehicles to advanced industrial automation. Moreover, emerging technologies like edge computing will play a key role, allowing data processing to be conducted closer to the source, thus reducing response times and bandwidth usage. These advancements herald a new era of IoT capabilities, transforming how we interact with technology.

The integration of IoT in remote monitoring is not just a technological evolution but a strategic necessity for future-focused businesses. As we continue to witness innovations in IoT connectivity, the scope for transforming various industry verticals is immense, underscoring the critical role of IoT in the digital age.

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• Onomondo SoftSIM is the world’s first 100% software and agnostic IoT SIM, and now available for commercial deployment on Nordic devices
• New testing reveals that the power consumption of the radiomodule is reduced by up to 100% when using eDRX in idle mode

Earlier this year, Onomondo and Nordic Semiconductor announced a new collaboration aimed at integrating Onomondo’s world-first SoftSIM to cellular IoT end-products based on Nordic’s nRF9160 low power System-in-Package (SiP).

Today, the two organisations are announcing the successful integration of SoftSIM into nRF91 Series-based designs, meaning users of Nordic’s cellular IoT devices can now deploy the world-first technology across IoT projects, with early testing data showing a 90-100% reduction in power consumption.

Announced last year at the Made for IoT Summit, SoftSIM is the world’s first 100% software and agnostic IoT SIM. While non-physical eSIMs offer much promise, they still demand additional supporting hardware.. However, by reusing modules that already exist for cellular IoT, Onomondo’s IoT SIM can be stored and executed as pure software. In addition, with the embedded commercial agreements on eSIMs lacking the flexibility modern IoT use cases require, SoftSIM is network and platform agnostic, meaning there are no hidden lock-ins or unnecessary costs for users.

Today’s news means that users can now download SoftSIM from the Cloud, which will then be executed as software by the nRF9160 SiP’s embedded ARM Cortex-M33 application processor. The availability of SoftSIM in nRF91 Series-based designs is not only a world first, but also makes it one of the most compact and flexible solutions for cellular IoT connectivity in the market today. Without the need for extra hardware, users can significantly reduce the bill-of-materials (BoM) and simplify the design of IoT projects.

In addition, by combining SoftSIM with the most power optimized and highly integrated cellular IoT SiP on the market, the potential for low power IoT projects will be transformed. During testing, we found that using a SoftSIM reduces the current consumption by 100% compared to a physical SIM in idle, resulting in around 3.5µA. The SoftSIM itself consumes near zero current consumption in idle mode, compared to an average consumption of 46µA observed when using physical SIM cards from other connectivity providers. This means that the total average current in idle mode of the radio module can go from 52µA to 9.5µA which will greatly increase the battery lifetime of the device.

Commenting on the announcement, Michael Karlsen, co-founder and CEO of Onomondo said: “Today is an important milestone for Onomondo and our mission. Our promise has always been to break down the silos that exist between hardware and software within the IoT industry, and the successful integration of SoftSIM into nRF91 Series-based designs and now its availability to users is a huge step forward in delivering on it. The testing data already shows how much it could impact low power IoT projects globally, so we’re excited to see what the future holds as we work to build on this success and continue bringing SoftSIM to IoT users globally.”

“Nordic Semiconductor is thrilled to lead the way in the IoT industry. Back in 2015, we started developing the nRF9160, a groundbreaking product for Cellular IoT, with a vision of one day replacing the traditional SIM technology with smarter solutions,” says Svein-Egil Nielsen, CTO/VP R&D at Nordic Semiconductor.

“We’re happy that our collaboration with Onomondo brings the ‘world’s first’ SoftSIM to the market. This innovation simplifies how IoT devices connect, significantly cuts costs, enhances power efficiency, and provides more flexibility for our customers. This partnership shows our dedication to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the IoT world.”

Onomondo was founded on the idea that different parties from the IoT ecosystem need to work closer together. This is particularly the case with the connectivity part of the IoT spectrum, which has typically been seen as something that needs to be designed around and ‘made to fit’, rather than something where innovation can take place. SoftSIM is serving to break down these barriers, allowing users to double their devices’ lifetime, half battery consumption, drive down debugging time, and cut costs, all from functionality within the network itself.

Pavel Hübner, CEO and Co-founder of HARDWARIO, a leading provider of IoT solutions that tested SoftSIM, added: “When you think of connectivity, it’s something that should just ‘work’, no questions asked. For too long, progress in our industry has been held back by the legacy barriers between hardware and software. But it’s the innovation between Nordic and Onomondo that we’re now starting to see what’s possible when different parts of the industry collide and work more closely together. The testing data we saw was incredibly encouraging, and we’re excited to now be able to offer our users the ability to deploy the technology in the real world.”

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Industrial Grade SIM Cards Connect IoT Devices in Rugged Environments.

Soracom, Inc., a global provider of advanced Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, today announced that it has added an industrial grade SIM card to its portfolio of IoT SIM and eSIM solutions.

With this addition, Soracom now offers both standard and industrial-grade eSIMs and SIM cards, as well as iSIM capability.

The Soracom Industrial SIM card is designed for M2M/IoT applications where environmental conditions demand a rugged solution and a card-type SIM is preferred to an eSIM. The Industrial SIM supports Mini, Micro or Nano form factors (2FF, 3FF or 4FF) and offers a special coating as well as enhanced chip characteristics to limit erosion and resist extremes of temperature, humidity, and vibration.

Like all Soracom IoT SIMs, the new Industrial SIM is fully compatible with current GSMA M2M eUICC specifications and provides pay-per-use cellular data including 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE, and Cat-M1 coverage where available in more than 160 countries. Access to Soracom’s industry-leading connectivity management platform and API is included at no additional cost, along with a library of cloud-native platform services designed specifically to accelerate IoT deployment and ensure success at scale.

“Feed manufacturers across North America trust BinSentry to monitor thousands of feed bins, automate inventory and improve decision making,” said Nathan Hoel, CTO and Co-Founder of BinSentry. “In these rugged environments our gear faces rapid temperature changes, and constant dust and vibration. We have tried many IoT SIM cards and if it can’t resist failure in these conditions, we can’t use it. Soracom’s industrial SIM delivers a connection we can count on, and Soracom’s smart lifecycle management allows us to optimize our network for performance and cost.”

“Every day, we help customers around the world and across industries offload heavy lifting to the cloud on terms that make sense for IoT,” said Kenta Yasukawa, CTO and Co-Founder of Soracom. “An industrial-grade SIM card with eUICC capabilities complements our industrial IoT eSIM offerings and lets our customers deploy connected solutions seamlessly in challenging environments, ensuring optimal form factors and maximum durability tailored to their use cases.”

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Quectel, a global IoT solutions provider, has introduced a new pre-paid connectivity offer to help simplify IoT deployments across Europe.

The new offer, for customers that purchase both Quectel modules and connectivity, provides flat rate roaming IoT SIMs for the EU 28 countries for 2G, 3G, 4G, Cat-M and NB-IoT at a highly competitive one-time charge, with plastic SIM cards included in the price.

“With this new pre-paid offering, we are meeting the requirements of a growth area in module sales and making it even simpler to connect Quectel’s modules for projects across Europe,” said Richard Hart, the head of global connectivity at Quectel.

“We are enabling customers to reduce total cost of ownership, mitigate technical risks by sourcing from a single supplier, accelerate time to market and reduce design complexity.”

Quectel’s pre-paid offer also includes access to its Connectivity Management Platform. Key features of the platform include secure end-to-end data access, APIs, self-service tools and service diagnostics, user administration, pro-active alerting, trigger management and reporting capabilities.

The Quectel Customer Care team, based in EMEA, is able to assist across all elements of customer deployments, utilizing in-depth knowledge and expertise to provide enhanced support, including hardware and firmware reviews, certification services and testing and debugging.

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Announces its next-generation Hyper SIM to include native integrations with leading carriers in the US and Canada and network fallback for uninterrupted global connectivity.

Hologram, the leading IoT cellular connectivity platform, today announced the next-generation Hyper SIM with network fallback.

The global eUICC SIM enables direct integrations with leading carriers in the US and Canada and the launch of network fallback to intelligently keep devices connected. The combination of carrier offerings and automatic fallback gives exceptional performance for cutting edge IoT applications and peace of mind with multi-network redundancy.

Millions of IoT devices leverage global roaming agreements as they offer easy to deploy, cost-effective global access. But with increasing restrictions on global connectivity and more specific IoT connectivity requirements, traditional SIMs offering roaming profiles are no longer enough. The next-gen Hyper SIM delivers direct native access to leading carriers in the US and Canada, ensuring global IoT deployments have operator guaranteed network access. Leveraging native profiles, users benefit from traffic prioritization, low latency, and high throughput IoT connectivity to power high-bandwidth applications like video monitoring and streaming, industrial robotics, autonomous drones, and more.

In addition to performance, IoT applications like payment processing, security monitoring, micromobility, among others, require uninterrupted connectivity that is resilient to network failures. The next-generation Hyper SIM includes network fallback, an intelligent profile management agent that automatically switches eUICC profiles when native connectivity is not available.

With network fallback, Hyper SIMs can connect with high performance native profiles as their primary connectivity source without sacrificing the benefits of multi-carrier and route redundancy afforded by global roaming profiles. Should a device lose its connection to a native carrier, Network Fallback automatically switches to the backup roaming profile, ensuring the device remains connected.

“When we launched Hyper in 2020, we turned connectivity into software, offering the first eUICC IoT global SIM,” said Ben Forgan, co-founder and CEO, Hologram. “We’re bringing that innovation to the next level to address the needs of the sophisticated IoT applications we’re seeing today.”

“Whether streaming video or autonomous drones, the next generation of Hyper gives connected devices the low latency delivered from native performance with the reliability and flexibility of global roaming they now require.”

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Kigen, a global security leader in IoT enablement with its SIM, eSIM, and iSIM technology solutions, and Skylo, a Satellite Network or Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) operator focused on connecting anything, anywhere, are together making satellite connectivity integration frictionless for device makers, allowing for seamless transitions between cellular and satellite connectivity via Skylo’s SIM profile.

This combination is particularly attractive for devices used in challenging environments, where relying on terrestrial cellular networks alone can be problematic, and is being adopted by market leaders in rugged technology, Bullitt.

This breakthrough form of connectivity over satellite leverages the latest 3GPP NB-NTN standards. Skylo chose Kigen for various reasons: as a fast-moving and flexible enabler of digital SIM solutions, proven with over two billion SIMs; Kigen has existing integrations and adoption by leading carriers. This is in line with a focus on growing the cellular market and unlocking new secure IoT use cases for enhanced customer experience with the Future of SIM.

Dr. Andrew Nutall, Chief Technology Officer for Skylo, said:

“We don’t require any change in behavior when you use our satellite network, as compared to when you use your terrestrial cellular network.”

“To that end, working with Kigen has allowed us to make our network extremely accessible using the same supply chains and processes that are well established across the cellular industry today, requiring minimal to no change in behavior for device makers who want to build Skylo’s connectivity into their devices or for enterprises who want to add satellite connectivity to their compatible IoT devices.”

Skylo is built on top of the established and open 3GPP standards, using existing satellites with licensed spectrum together with existing modems inside devices, without requiring custom hardware and protocols. By being standards-based, Skylo is 100% interoperable with all terrestrial carriers today, and its patented NTN RAN, Core, SIM management and provisioning system and entire end-to-end tech stack builds on top of the standards to make satellite connectivity as simple as choosing the right carrier and data plan.

“Skylo’s service has allowed cellular devices using our SIMs to extend users’ coverage onto satellites,” said Loic Bonvarlet, SVP of Product Marketing for Kigen. “This is a huge step towards democratizing global connectivity. Using the same onboarding, provisioning, and SIM authentication processes that our OEM customers are familiar with today allows them to get to innovative products faster.”

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Berg Insight, the world’s leading IoT market research provider, today released new findings about the market for IoT connectivity management platforms (CMPs), a standard component in the value proposition from mobile operators and IoT MVNOs around the world.

Developments in the areas of network virtualisation, eSIM technology and LPWA networking are currently driving a shift in the market towards a greater diversity of IoT connectivity management services. Delivery of global IoT connectivity services comprises a key focus area for most vendors, propelled by enterprises’ demand for managing their global IoT device deployments through one interface or IoT connectivity service provider.

About 31 percent of the global installed base of 2.1 billion IoT SIMs were managed using third-party IoT CMPs at the end of 2021. Cisco is the largest IoT CMP provider by mobile operator partners, supporting the IoT operations of more than 60 mobile operators worldwide. The main challengers are Ericsson, Vodafone and MAVOCO. These companies focus on reducing the complexity associated with multinational deployments of cellular IoT devices. The China-based vendors Huawei and Whale Cloud are key players on the domestic market.

Several IoT MVNOs, including 1NCE, Eseye and Soracom also provide white-labelled or branded IoT connectivity services via mobile operators. In addition to being a strategic partner to Deutsche Telekom, 1NCE recently announced a deal with SoftBank, which will sell 1NCE’s IoT services exclusively in 19 markets across the Asia-Pacific region.

The major US-based IoT MVNO Aeris’ acquisition of Ericsson’s IoT business in December 2022 marks a significant development in the space. A first priority for Aeris will be to establish a sustainable business model for the loss-making IoT Accelerator business. Depending on the response from mobile operators using the platform, Aeris could potentially develop a managed service offering around the IoT Accelerator, which can be resold by mobile operators. The new IoT Accelerator Device Connect service already resembles the offering of many IoT MVNOs, in which enterprises can buy managed connectivity services from multiple mobile operators off-the-shelf via the Device Connect global marketplace.

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• Onomondo’s SoftSIM is fully downloadable from the cloud, will enable a 50-90% reduction in the cost of rolling out IoT, and will reduce deployment time down to virtually zero
• It is the only SoftSIM available to ‘plug and play’ from a single vendor
• SoftSIM will help to address increasing supply chain complexity and acute chip shortages
• Available in Q1 2023, Globally SoftSIM launch comes months after Onomondo closed its latest $21m growth investment round

Getting an Internet of Things (IoT) project off the ground has historically looked something like this: you receive your IoT device, you choose a provider and a data plan, the provider or carrier sends you a SIM card, and you then insert your SIM into your device to connect to your provider. However, if you want to switch to a different provider, you’ll need to physically remove the SIM card from every device and repeat the same process with the new provider. For many IoT projects, particularly those in remote or isolated locations, this is a friction-filled process, often resulting in vendor lock-in, hindering the uptake and scaling of projects.

So-called “eSIMs” have grown in popularity in recent years to tackle this friction. Enabled by eUICC (Embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card) standards, users can now load new carrier profiles digitally, over the air, eliminating the need to physically swap SIM cards. While this solution offers more flexibility than regular SIMs, the commercial agreements can be equally binding through bootstrapped network profiles, and hardware still needs to be installed into each device.

The Onomondo SoftSIM offers a new frictionless pathway. The SIM is downloaded from the cloud onto chipsets already found in devices which brings IoT time to deployment down to virtually zero. The Onomondo operator agnostic approach, which gives customers the ability to choose their network and exactly the type of service they need depending on the product they are tracking, means that customers don’t suffer from any hidden lock-ins or unnecessary costs. Making the SIM downloadable also means that customers only start paying to track their devices when they need to, rather than paying upfront for a SIM card and associated costs in connection to its installation. For users, this means lowering the bill of materials for companies rolling out IoT by between 50-90% depending on the scale of the fleet.

Onomondo has redesigned existing IoT connectivity architecture through integrating more than 700 operators at the Radio Access Network (RAN) level across more than 180 countries, as well as layering its own API-based IoT platform on top. With the new SoftSIM, as soon as the SIM is downloaded, assets can seamlessly move across national borders without the inherent complexity of roaming. Onomondo customers can also gain granular, real-time insight into the performance of each connected device, allowing them to tap into their global grid and troubleshoot IoT devices from anywhere. Data is transferred directly across the Onomondo virtual network to one of the firm’s cloud partners (Microsoft Azure, AWS, IBM Watson and more), so enterprises can easily understand what is going on between devices and the network, through to the core network, and on to the IoT cloud from a single interface.

Michael Karlsen, Co-Founder & CEO, and Henrik Aagaard, Co-Founder & CTO at Onomondo commented: “The move to a plug and play SIM card is the catalyst that IoT has needed to be deployed at scale and to start to reach its full potential.”

“In terms of significance, we see the development of a downloadable SoftSIM as comparable to the impact that the Cloud had on the internet.”

“By eliminating the requirement for a complex physical connection, it removes an important friction point as well as opening the door to a broad spectrum of people to bring true innovation and creativity to IoT as the customer needs develop. The SoftSIM will also make an important contribution to improving IoT sustainability, eradicating the need for billions of chips a year to be manufactured, transported and installed.”

Based on a Trusted Connectivity Alliance report, in 2021 SIM card production resulted in 560,000 tons of CO₂ emissions and 18,000 tons of plastic. SIM production is expected to grow rapidly as connected IoT devices are predicted to reach 27 billion by 2025. SoftSIM has the potential to reduce CO₂ emissions, while virtually eliminating the plastic and polymer waste resulting from SIM card production. Innovations like these are important steps for the ICT industry to meet its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 45% between 2020 and 2030.

Earlier this year Onomondo announced a new $21m growth investment led by Verdane, a leading growth equity investment firm that specialises in scaling digital consumer, software, and sustainable society businesses. Onomondo will leverage the new funds to drive growth and meet its planned projection of tripling its ARR in 2022 and 2023. The company also plans to scale its team from 50 to 100 over the next year, helping to expand its customer base, which currently includes the likes of Bosch, Carlsberg, and Maersk.

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Managed, Mission-critical, Multi-Carrier Connectivity Through One SIM Card.

Processors, ISOs and merchants across North America can now benefit from Transaction Network Services’ (TNS) enhanced multi-carrier wireless connectivity for payment devices, point-of-sale terminals and ATMs thanks to the launch of smart SIM capability for its Global Wireless Access (GWA) solution in the region.

TNS’ smart SIM is a pre-activated, plug and play solution that mitigates single carrier blackspots by providing multi-carrier roaming through a single SIM. Already in use within hundreds of thousands of payment devices in Europe and Asia, TNS’ simple-to-deploy smart SIM provides quality of service-based connectivity, choosing and changing mobile network operators based on the underlying quality of the data connection. This capability delivers resiliency to common service issues such as poor signal, local operator data congestion or local operator service issues. With data routed securely through a private Access Point Name (APN) across TNS’ PCI DSS certified payments network, exposure to the internet is mitigated as is the risk of misuse of SIM card data, a common risk with SIMs exposed to the internet.

TNS is also extending its international wireless IoT capability to customers in North America seeking to deploy services globally. TNS’ comprehensive international and local wireless coverage means North American customers can benefit from the same reliable and secure wireless connectivity with 24×7 support wherever they need to deploy, with access to both roaming and domestic connectivity options in different geographies.

Commenting on the launches, Shaun Donaghey, TNS’ Managing Director, Payments Market – US, said:

“GWA is a solution that is incredibly popular in Europe and Asia thanks to its ease of deployment, smart roaming capabilities and simple yet comprehensive management portal. We’re excited to not only offer these proven wireless capabilities to merchants and ISOs across North America, but also to make available our global wireless capabilities to North American customers looking to grow their business internationally.”

TNS is a Level 1 PCI DSS certified service provider, and its secure network is supported 24x7x365 by TNS’ Network Operating Centers based in the USA, UK, Malaysia and Australia. With a strong payments heritage and more than 30 years of expertise, TNS accepts, connects, and securely processes billions of transactions through its secure infrastructure-as-a-service solutions.

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Determined to prevent IoT from repeating the mistakes of the Internet, SIM technology, encryption, and network security combine to change the course of data privacy in cellular IoT.

As consumers embrace connected devices and services, inadequate levels of basic security, such as encryption and authentication schemes risk consumer mistrust. To address this, ZARIOT and The @ Company have developed a solution using a new encryption protocol and SIM-based technologies to guarantee data privacy and control.

In partnership with Kigen, the SIM, eSIM, or iSIM can be used as a tamper-proof root of trust on cellular IoT devices such as pacemakers, remote security cameras, and asset trackers. This technology benefits business and consumers alike by simplifying not only provisioning and management, but security, data privacy, and ownership in a landscape of increasing public demand and regulation.

Vincent Korstanje, CEO at Kigen, said:
“Strong authentication and a standardized approach to trust are fundamental to how our interactions with IoT will be shaped.”

“This collaboration extends the stringent levels of security across SIM, eSIM, and iSIM, with Kigen OS portfolio and OPEN IoT SAFE, to assure the user that their data is securely exchanged between peers thus protecting their privacy.”

Utilising the SIM makes possible true end-to-end, network layer encrypted data security for IoT devices, without the requirement of gateways and VPNs, or additional device hardware such as a TPM. The elegant, open-source solution will reduce cost, increase security, and can be retrofitted to many existing solutions and devices.

“The best way to get your customers to trust you with their data is to never require them to give it to you,” said Barbara Tallent, co-founder and CEO of The @ Company. “We believe that data privacy is a fundamental right and that securing all devices on the network is the key to true privacy for people and entities. It is our goal to make that easy for developers.”

The @platform was uniquely developed to ensure data privacy through authentication and encryption, and to “flip the Internet” in terms of data ownership, by shifting control to the owner of the information. ZARIOT was founded to bring security to IoT connectivity, and having developed patented, SIM-based, anti-IMSI catcher technology, recognised the immense potential of utilizing the capacity of eUICC SIM technology to store the cryptographic keys.

Kigen’s mission is to drive eSIM and iSIM to be the cornerstone of IoT security, and are best suited to bring this encryption technology to the IoT marketplace. Building on shared foundations of privacy and security, the three companies aim to deliver secure connectivity that supports the entire long-term IoT solution at scale.

“In IoT, this is an opportunity not just to bring encryption and security, but also simplified provisioning and management for the (often considerable) lifetime of IoT devices,” commented Dawood Ghalaeiny, CEO of ZARIOT. “This kind of flexible long-term solution reduces operating costs upfront, and also over the life of the business – something enterprises often fail to consider when launching a new product.”

The post ZARIOT, Kigen, and The @ Company Stem Chaos in IoT through True E2E Encryption and SIM Technology appeared first on IoT Business News.

Today we’re announcing a new $100 million deal with Intellihub that will see Telstra provide up to 4.1 million IoT SIMs to Intellihub over the next decade.

It’s our largest ever IoT deal in terms of value and the number of connected devices and will connect Intellihub and its customers to Telstra’s IoT network – Australia’s largest.

Using the Cisco Jasper platform, the IoT SIMs will be incorporated into Intellihub’s smart meters to deliver real-time monitoring and insights to help Intellihub and its customers better manage things like energy demand, solar feed-ins and peaks and troughs.

This solution demonstrates the power of Telstra IoT in finding real-world solutions and will enable Intellihub’s smart meters to get even smarter, providing Intellihub and its customers with deeper, real-time insights to manage the different elements of the energy network.

Intellihub was founded four years ago and has grown significantly with more than 1 million meters installed and around 1000 new meters going in every day. Telstra’s IoT SIM will be soldered into each device at the point of manufacture.

The deal also provides Intellihub with price certainty for the next 10 years – key for its next phase of growth.

We’ve already hit the ground running with around half a million Intellihub smart meters connected to the Telstra IoT network so far.

Australia’s largest IoT network

The deal comes at an exciting time for Telstra, with more than five million devices now connected to Telstra’s IoT network. The importance of IoT continues to grow with more than 50,000 devices being connected to our IoT network every month and, as of today, around 1.2 million devices are connected to a Telstra LPWAN.

Leveraging our mobile network infrastructure, our Cellular Low Power Wide Area Networks (Cellular LPWANs) are built specifically for scaled IoT deployments to provide better, cost-efficient coverage.

Telstra has the largest IoT network in Australia – around four million square kilometres of NB-IoT coverage and around three million square kilometres of LTE-M coverage. These networks are built specifically for scaled IoT deployments and provide better, cost efficient coverage even in challenging locations that high bandwidth technologies may not reach, including underground where digital meters are often located.

IoT connects everything from vehicles to machines, infrastructure, smart meters, buildings, connected vehicles, solar panels, humidity sensors, traffic cones, buses, whitegoods and garbage trucks, delivering insights and tools that previously weren’t possible.

Connected technologies, such as Telstra’s IoT deal with Intellihub, are helping organisations use connected technology to drive positive customer experiences and help remotely monitor their network, equipment and assets.

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Rapid growth driven by strong uptake in connected consumer electronic devices.

Soracom, Inc., a global provider of advanced IoT connectivity, today announced that its Soracom Air wireless data service now keeps more than 4 million devices connected around the world.

The growth – up from 3 million announced in June 2021 – is being driven by strong uptake of IoT devices in the consumer electronics sector, among other industries.

Soracom’s connectivity solutions are used by the most innovative developers, SMBs, and SMEs worldwide to help them accelerate IoT deployment, minimize risk, and ensure successful, scalable IoT rollouts. The company’s commitment-free, pay-per-use connectivity services feature built-in private networking, cloud integration and secure bootstrapping capabilities. Soracom announced its first 1 million connections in June of 2019. Since then, use of Soracom’s secure, scalable, connectivity platform has expanded dramatically thanks to accelerating adoption across industries and geographies.

In the consumer electronics industry, for example, personal EV innovator WHILL Inc. uses Soracom connectivity to achieve a 30 percent decrease in power usage for its connected chairs. Meanwhile, consumer products like the Pocketalk personal translator and the Pebblebee Found pet and family tracker use Soracom to deliver consumer experiences that delight end users by taking advantage of leading-edge capabilities like eSIM, LTE-M, and eDRX. And consumer robot company GROOVE-X utilizes Soracom to connect the LOVOT home companion robot.

“Soracom doesn’t just provide reliable global IoT connectivity,” said Noriyuki Matsuda, CEO of SOURCENEXT Corp., maker of the Pocketalk handheld translator. “Their team is clearly committed to our success. Soracom delivers leading-edge eSIM technology, local breakout for fast data turnaround, and advanced lifecycle management tools that let us make sure Pocketalk ‘just works’ for consumers in 132 countries around the world.”

Additional Soracom customers exhibiting and demonstrating at CES 2022 include:

• IoThink Solutions (IoT/M2M Agnostic platform and use cases design) – Booth #60437-7
• Yukai Engineering, Inc. (Consumer Robotics/IoT) – Booth #51127
• Global Mobility Service (FinTech/IoT) – Booth #51127

Soracom’s next-generation IoT connectivity platform is device-, cloud-, and bearer-agnostic. It provides everything the people, teams and organizations building tomorrow’s connected world need to connect any number of devices to their preferred cloud easily, affordably, and reliably, with complete network control, anywhere in the world.

“Consumer electronics represents one of the most promising categories in the fast-growing world of connected devices,” said Kenta Yasukawa, Soracom CTO and co-founder.

“Soracom is committed to supporting the teams creating these new consumer experiences with powerful, flexible connectivity solutions. And advanced capabilities like iSIM, which we recently demonstrated in collaboration with Sony Semiconductor Israel, Ltd. and Kigen, let us support the ever-smaller form factors that CE demands.”

The post Soracom Now Connects More Than 4 Million IoT Devices Worldwide appeared first on IoT Business News.

Company M2MC, the operator of the global service miotiq used for communication management in the Internet of Things, offers the first massive universal tariff for Europe.

The innovative company M2MC, a global leader in the management of communication devices in the Internet of Things (IoT) network, expands and enhances its unique service miotiq.

The integration platform miotiq now supports a favorable European tariff, which customers can get for three years for less than 10 euros. Until now, they could only purchase an annual subscription for this price.

The company M2MC, which deals with the comprehensive communication management of low-energy devices in the Narrow-Band IoT (NB-IoT) and LTE-M networks, makes a long-term effort to make IoT technologies widely available. Part of this strategy is the introduction of the first massive universal IoT tariff Euro, which will be available in 18 European countries. (1)

State borders will no longer stop IoT devices

For just € 9.90 can all users, including integrators, application developers, IoT solution providers or end customers, receive a miotiq subscription, including a universal SIM card for Narrow-Band and LTE-M networks with a European IoT tariff for three years.

For this price, they receive a data package of 500 kB each month, which is enough to send, for example, 1000 reports from one device per month. The Euro IoT tariff also supports international roaming, so that users can freely transfer activated devices between supported countries without any additional charges nor other restrictions.

The new possibilities of the miotiq service will be appreciated by service technicians, for example. They will be able to use control sensors in multiple countries without having to deal with the services of local operators. Moreover, users can obtain the Euro IoT tariff within 24 hours of ordering.

Karel Krčmář, CEO of M2MC, said:

‘Our new IoT tariff Euro poses a great opportunity especially for companies that use the Internet of Things in multiple European markets. It will free them from the limitations and delays they would otherwise have to face.’

‘The Internet of Things is facing a huge boom, thanks, in part, to its integration into 5G networks. M2MC is a long-term ambassador of NB-IoT, which offers unique services and opportunities that customers will not find anywhere else on the market.’

Miotiq can handle all IoT communication

Miotiq is a unique global service for easy and efficient connection of electronic devices with applications that process data from sensors. Such devices are mainly operated by endpoint IoT sensor manufacturers, application developers, IT integrators or technically proficient end users. The miotiq integration platform uses for two-way communication NB-IoT network, which is the most advanced Internet of Things network available to mobile operators worldwide.

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Twilio IoT customers make 2 billion operational API calls per year to manage SIM fleets.

Twilio, the leading cloud communications platform, today announced milestones detailing its Internet of Things (IoT) business has seen double-digit growth across all key metrics month-over-month (MoM) and Twilio’s Super SIM product has seen ~14% month-over-month growth in active SIMs since January 2021.

Twilio’s cellular Super SIM offerings essentially behave like one large global network with one simple API that orchestrates global network connections through a single distributed cloud IoT mobile core. Twilio has developed extensive relationships with leading national and regional carriers, providing access to nearly 400 cellular networks for customers across 157 countries.

Taylor Wolfe, Head of Global IoT Sales & Business Development, Twilio IoT, said:

“Twilio IoT solutions bring software agility to SIMs and attract digital native companies due to our API focus and reliable architecture. Our approach has significantly reduced the development and integration efforts for thousands of developers who have built solutions incorporating millions of Twilio IoT SIMs.”

Existing customers make more than 2 billion API calls per year and leverage Twilio IoT for improved operational efficiency in managing their SIM fleets. Twilio IoT helps run critical applications that power our everyday lives, such as health monitoring devices, workplace contact tracing, and electric scooters transporting us to work. Bundling Twilio’s IoT connectivity with Twilio voice, video, and messaging products have allowed customers to deliver more value.

Over 120 Twilio IoT customers were surveyed by TechValidate, a third-party software service, in August 2021 to capture client operational results and the impact of working with Twilio IoT. Findings indicate:

• 71% increased the availability of their IoT solution by a factor of 75-100% after deploying with Twilio IoT. Twilio’s reliable network connectivity has improved services and improved end-use experience.
• 63% saw a faster time to market by a factor of 75-100%, contributing to first-mover market advantages and quicker ROI.
• 79% strongly agree that Twilio’s APIs enable efficiency and the ability to build predictable operations at scale.

“Twilio gives us control over which networks all of our devices work on, combined with a flexible and scalable cost model,” said Fabian Liem, Chief Technology Officer, LivingPackets. “The Twilio team went above and beyond our expectations and helped us significantly reduce our time to market.”

According to IDCs recent InfoBrief on “Streamlining Connectivity Management for Cellular IoT Success” based on research from over 1,000 IoT decision makers, the top network quality and availability concerns are: limited access to multiple Tier 1 networks on one SIM, network steering to incompatible or poor-quality networks, paying for overages and unused data, and difficulty troubleshooting and resolving network issues.

Twilio IoT’s product roadmap will continue to resolve existing and future challenges in the marketplace with an immediate emphasis on eSIM management tools and private network support.

The post Twilio IoT Achieves SIM Deployments in 157 Countries appeared first on IoT Business News.

Highlights:

• Cellular IoT connectivity provider reports strong revenue growth in the first half of 2021, marking an impressive rebound from the pandemic year

• With 15 percent increase in new hires in H1 2021, EMnify plans to further grow headcount in its German home market as well as North America in second half of 2021

EMnify, the leading cloud communications platform provider for IoT, delivered solid business results during the first half of the year with rapid growth driven by more than 250 new customers and an over 50 percent increase in active SIMs.

In addition to expanding its operational focus, EMnify enhanced its product offerings with support for LTE-M, eSIM, and no-code workflows. The company also welcomed three new industry experts to its industry advisory board, bringing additional expert perspectives in finance, strategy, and operations to broaden its network and accelerate growth.

IoT connectivity pioneer broadens scope and expands team

The cellular IoT connectivity provider saw a solid increase in revenue in H1 2021, following an impressively resilient 2020. EMnify’s positive start to the year included a 15-percent increase in new hires across all levels and saw the release of several key product enhancements, including:

• The launch of multi-network LTE-M access in 44 countries, allowing IoT businesses to deploy LPWAN-enabled devices in global markets.
• EMnify’s new eSIM for evaluation, enabling immediate development with its API.
• EMnify’s integration with Zapier, making it the first wireless IoT vendor to bring no-code automation to cellular IoT management.

All updates support EMnify’s vision to enable everyone to contribute to the connected world.

Successfully maintained high levels of customer satisfaction amidst further expansion plans

Active EMnify SIMs worldwide grew by 53 percent from January through July. The company doubled overall SIMs sold in H1 2021 versus H1 2020 – a testament to its resilience and strong pandemic rebound.

More than 250 new customers signed in H1 2021, and EMnify continued to maintain a high customer satisfaction score. More than 75 percent of Net Promoter Score (NPS) ratings in the first six months of the year were in the Promoter range (9 or 10) – underscoring EMnify’s technical prowess as well as its commitment to customer-centric execution.

In response to growing demand in the North American market, EMnify has begun to establish a local presence in the region, beginning with key sales hires to drive revenue and expand local operations.

Industry-leading advisory expertise

The business is well-positioned for accelerated growth and will draw from its impressive pool of senior advisory talent to inform strategic decision-making. Michael Kunz, Sven Marlinghaus and Oliver Muhr — seasoned executives with impressive track records in their respective fields — now serve as trusted advisors to the EMnify leadership team.

Frank Stoecker, CEO and co-founder, EMnify, said:

“Following an unprecedented 2020 for many reasons, we are pleased to report a strong first half of 2021. Having successfully laid a robust foundation in the first six months of this year, and in line with growth ambitions, we expect to increase 2021 year-end revenue by more than 60 percent.”

“We will continue to grow headcount in Germany, our crucial home market. We are simultaneously establishing a local presence in North America to meet the demands of a growing customer base in the region. We were also privileged to welcome three new members to the esteemed group of industry leaders that sit on the EMnify advisory board. I am pleased to welcome Sven, Oliver and Michael to EMnify and am proud to have their combined expertise and experience onboard, as we embark on our next chapter.”

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• 1NCE’s China+ SIM card now available at 10 Euros for 10 years at 1nce.com
• IoT connectivity for companies entering Chinese markets and for Chinese companies requiring international IoT connectivity
• Partnership with China Telecom Global (CTG) enables extended NB-IoT and 4G coverage
• More information on the cooperation at Cloud Expo Asia Hong Kong on 23-24 September virtually

China Telecom Global (CTG), a subsidiary of China Telecommunications Corporation, one of the largest providers of integrated telecommunications services and 1NCE, an international, fully-fledged Tier-1 IoT network carrier, today announced the commercial launch of a NB-IoT roaming product for China.

Following the initial announcement of the cooperation with CTG in February this year, the 1NCE IoT Flat Rate with NB-IoT/4G coverage can now be ordered at 1nce.com.

The new offer, 10 Euros for a lifetime of 10 years, including 500 MB data volume and 250 SMS, enables international companies to enter the Chinese market with their IoT products, as well as Chinese companies to expand their IoT business worldwide. Besides NB-IoT service for mainland China, the new China+ SIM card also provides regional 4G coverage for markets including Hong Kong and Macao.

The multi-coverage SIM card developed by 1NCE provides the technological basis for its service, the 1NCE IoT Flat Rate. It allows for smooth transitioning between different mobile communication standards, including 2G, 3G, 4G, NB-IoT and LTE-M. 1NCE already cooperates with another European Tier-1 network provider and is covering more than 100 countries worldwide with reliable cellular connectivity for a single tariff of 10 Euros for 10 years. With over 3,500 customers, 1NCE has already sold more than 5 million SIM cards so far since the launch of its business in August 2018.

China Telecom’s premium 4G and 5G network supports a wide variety of IoT use cases. The low- and medium-speed requirements are handled with NB-IoT and CAT1 network. The number of NB-connected devices has now exceeded 70 million, ranging from smart home appliances to smart city devices. In the 5G era, China Telecom has invested heavily to support new applications including HD video, autonomous driving, and beyond. After having launched the world’s first SA commercial network capability in 2019 in Shenzhen, China Telecom accelerated the construction of a nationwide SA network for commercial use.

The collaboration with China Telecom Global makes 1NCE one of the first IoT carriers worldwide to offer a high-quality solution for seamless NB-IoT and 4G connectivity across the world. Its robust and scalable footprint provides significant benefits to multinational customers such as original equipment manufacturers.

He An, Executive Vice President, CTG, says:

“By overcoming technical obstacles in the integration between both networks and supporting a new NB-IOT roaming model, we have successfully enabled 1NCE to launch its regional NB-IoT offering. We are proud to have reached this milestone with 1NCE as one of our first commercial NB-IoT carrier partners.”

“Not only for those international customers needing IoT connectivity services for China, China Telecom Global is also actively supporting domestic Chinese manufactures for overseas NB deployment. 1NCE as our partner will allow us to extend our offering to more parts of the world.”

“With the 1NCE IoT Flat Rate we create a new, unprecedented standard for IoT connectivity for the markets in Greater China”, adds Alexander P. Sator, CEO of 1NCE. “We are pleased to start our coverage expansion together with China Telecom Global now. The Covid-19 pandemic is keeping the world in suspense – but innovation must continue. And connectivity, communication and digitization have never been more important.”

1NCE IoT Flat Rate designed for the lifetime of IoT-enabled devices

The 1NCE IoT Flat Rate focuses on long-lasting B2B applications with low data volumes such as asset tracking, tank monitoring, vehicle telemetry, smart metering, and waste management. 1NCE’s flat-rate model, which is designed for the lifetime of IoT-enabled devices, ensures maximum price transparency and easily calculable costs.

The post 1NCE launches NB-IoT offering powered by China Telecom Global appeared first on IoT Business News.

Simple “one-stop-shop” complements Pod Group’s existing portfolio, which also includes Pod IoT Suite, a modular platform for medium to large enterprises.

Pod Group, a provider of platforms, software and connectivity services for the Internet of Things (IoT) has today announced the launch of its self-service connectivity platform, Luner.

Designed to enable developers of IoT solutions to get quickly up and running with a global IoT connectivity solution, using a platform that enables self-onboarding and self-management of SIM cards via one intuitive interface, Luner makes global IoT connectivity easily accessible to anyone interested in developing connected devices.

Powered by Pod Group, an expert in IoT connectivity since 1999, Luner has been designed to facilitate SIM deployment and connectivity management with an easy to use, but powerful interface and API. Customers can quickly create an account via the Luner portal giving them immediate access to a wide range of global IoT SIM cards and transparent PAYG and monthly plans. Payment can be made by credit or debit card, and SIMs are shipped from one of 6 local offices across the globe, for fast delivery.

Despite its simplicity, Luner is far from a one size fits all service. The platform allows granular management of IoT connectivity, including control of data limits and unlimited access to data usage records. Luner goes further still by offering a full API suite, enabling users to integrate the service directly into their application layer or software.

Sam Colley, Pod Group’s CEO said:
“We found that for customers starting out in IoT there is often a requirement for a simple, self-service connectivity solution which perfectly complements our existing modular platform, Pod IoT Suite, designed for larger IoT deployments.”

“Luner allows users to quickly test and launch applications anywhere in the world. It offers a flexible approach to product creation allowing users to autonomously order sims and get connected in a few clicks without commitments, contracts, or lock in. A marketplace will soon be added to give builders faster access to the components that power their IoT applications.”

As a launch promotion, Luner is offering $10 (or equivalent in local currency) of free credit to everyone who purchases their first SIMs before the 31st of August 2020.

The post Pod Group launches Luner, a complete self-service IoT connectivity platform appeared first on IoT Business News.

Powerful IoT Connectivity Tools Drive 100% Growth Year-Over-Year.

Soracom, Inc., a global provider of smart connectivity for the Internet of Things (IoT), announced today that its Soracom Air wireless data service now connects over two million IoT devices around the world.

Soracom’s developer-friendly, pay-as-you-go wireless connectivity is designed specifically for IoT, with built-in network management, powerful cloud integration, and advanced security provisions. Soracom was founded in 2015 and has offered IoT connectivity worldwide since 2017.

Soracom announced its first 1 million connections in June of 2019. Since then, use of Soracom’s secure, scalable connectivity has doubled for the third year in a row thanks to a growing customer base and accelerating adoption across industries and geographies.

Emerging edge processing cases are now driving increased data consumption at the high end, and continued adoption of eSIM technology remains a strong driver of growth. Overall, eSIM deployments on the Soracom network now represent 57% of all connections, up from 50% in 2019.

Compared with standard SIM cards, eSIMs offer superior ruggedness and improved physical packaging, making them a perfect match for everything from consumer products like the Pocketalk Voice Translator and domestic robots like the Groove-X LOVOT to industrial IoT retrofit solutions and cloud-driven GPS trackers. eSIM technology already available in consumer smartphones and tablets also supports new Soracom offerings, such as the Soracom Mobile travel-friendly mobile data app.

Soracom has also observed significant year-over-year expansion in LPWA deployments. With low-power applications in high demand, LoRaWAN, Sigfox, and LTE-M now represent 14% of total connections on the Soracom network. These LPWA connections support both industrial use cases like the NICIGAS smart gas meter and consumer products like the Pebblebee Found pet and family tracker.

Soracom smart IoT connectivity is now available in over 140 countries around the world, with multiband cellular service across 285 carriers and native support for LPWA standards such as Sigfox and LoRaWAN. All data service includes network management at no additional cost via web console and API, along with additional capabilities focused around cloud integration, network security, and device management.

The post Soracom Connectivity Now Powers Two Million IoT Devices Worldwide appeared first on IoT Business News.

Tele2 IoT is supporting Finland’s 9Solutions to ensure the functionality of healthcare services in exceptional circumstances.

Tele2 IoT will help 9Solutions to bring its Nurse Call Lite solution to the healthcare community.

Tele2 IoT is proud to be a part of helping 9Solutions to bring its Nurse Call Lite solution to the healthcare community. Tele2 IoT will continue to support them in their efforts to enable medical personnel to work in safe and secure environments.

9Solutions has responded to the fight against Covid-19 battle by introducing Nurse Call Lite, an adaption of its Nurse Call solution. Nurse Call Lite offers a ‘plug-n-play’ solution that facilitates communication between nursing staff and patients in a secure and safe way, as well as management of urgent and non-urgent calls from patients. Nurse Call Lite is particularly suited to field hospital environments, as well as hospital hallways, where overflow patients are currently being treated.

The wireless devices are equipped with Tele2 IoT SIMs.

• “In these challenging times, we all need to help out in any way we can. We are happy to be part of this solution and we hope that it will make a big difference for both patients and healthcare workers“, says Fredrik Stenberg, CEO of Tele2 IoT.

• Tele2 IoT responded to our connectivity needs within 45 minutes. The response was fast, professional, and the team helped us with whatever we needed, says Sami Herrala, CEO 9Solutions.

• Equally important was roaming. No one can guarantee that a specific mobile network will be working at any given time or at any particular location, so Tele2 IoT’s roaming solution is incredibly important, Sami Herrala concludes.

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In this era of connected chaos, ZARIOT, a new IoT connectivity provider, aims to restore order. With the proliferation of IoT devices, security concerns are increasing exponentially. There are daily headlines about security breaches costing enterprises and consumers millions as well as divulging sensitive data to bad actors.

ZARIOT is the world’s first global SIM with signalling security.

While other providers offer security over IP protocols, ZARIOT is the first of its kind to also provide security over the inherently vulnerable SS7, Diameter, and GTP signalling protocols: Protection “from signalling to cloud”.

Dawood Ghalaieny, CEO of ZARIOT, said:

“The rate at which SIM cards are being recklessly thrown into every device imaginable for permanent connectivity is growing, with no thought as to how we control, provision, upgrade and secure their future. The disregard for important features such as security is perceived as addressed. It’s not.”

While encryption and other methods increase security, they only go as far as the IP layer – signalling security has been roundly ignored in the IoT sphere. Devices such as smart cars, wearables, medical devices, and remote sensors which use SIM cards or embedded SIMs and rely on signalling protocols to transfer data, are left vulnerable to denial of service, interception, location tracking, and other attacks over mobile network infrastructure.

This problem is exacerbated by the fact that IoT increasingly demands greater connectivity, exposing devices to more and more networks – with varying guarantees of security. ZARIOT provides global coverage and a critical layer of security that can block attacks by preventing access to information contained in the network.

Cellusys founded ZARIOT to bring its expertise in signalling security directly to enterprises. Ghalaieny explains: “Success in deploying IoT is having a partner that understands the IoT ecosystem and its inherently complex security and control. Connectivity requires a partnership of five, ten, or even fifteen years over the device lifecycle.”

ZARIOT aims to make connectivity partnership a crucial part of enterprise success stories.

Cellusys is an industry leader in signalling security with over 15 years’ experience helping mobile operators secure their networks and subscribers from attacks over signalling protocols with sophisticated and responsive firewalls. Cellusys was first to market with the signalling firewall, as well as the Unified Signalling Firewall for SS7, Diameter, GTP and SIP. Cellusys offers other solutions within the IoT ecosystem for roaming, fraud, and analytics.

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Remy Cricco, Chairman of the SIMalliance, explores why a standardised API enabling IoT devices to easily leverage the SIM to execute security services and store credentials will deliver scalability, simplicity and trust.

The growth of connected devices is unlocking new services across M2M and consumer IoT use-cases. ABI Research predicts annual revenues from IoT services will hit $460 billion by 2026.

IoT services are enabled by devices collecting, processing and sending data, quite often sensitive or personal, to the cloud. A key factor in the widespread deployment of IoT services is the ability for key stakeholders – end users and service providers – to trust that the data gathered and transmitted to the IoT cloud is done so securely, in order to protect its integrity and the resulting integrity of the service.

Global authorities, industry bodies, governments and regulators are therefore working collaboratively towards defined IoT guidelines and mandates. This has implications on everything from the use of chatbots in customer services to the application of the best web conferencing software for staff who work from home. This activity is particularly advanced in Europe. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) defines strict penalties for device manufacturers and service providers who do not protect consumer privacy. A robust certification framework has also emerged, with the ENISA Cybersecurity Act and Eurosmart IoT Certification Scheme requiring IoT devices to undergo penetration testing from state-of-the-art independent security laboratories prior to deployment.

The challenges of remotely provisioning, managing and updating credentials across millions of different devices throughout their entire lifecycle to ensure this security and privacy are myriad. It is the ability to protect IoT data communications in a simple, standardised manner at scale, however, that has emerged as a key industry challenge.

Market fragmentation – a key challenge

Leveraging a hardware secure element (SE) as a ‘Root of Trust’ to execute security services and store security credentials is an essential step in the development lifecycle to guarantee end-to-end security for IoT products and services. It is also a key recommendation of the GSMA IoT Security Guidelines.

There are several proprietary hardware SE solutions available to deliver this root of trust, but market fragmentation introduces a key challenge. Connected devices must be modified to access security services from different SE providers, which creates significant design issues and is unsustainable at scale given the ever-increasing size and diversity of the IoT ecosystem.

The SIM on the other hand, in combination with supporting over-the-air provisioning and management infrastructure, is fully standardised. When used as the hardware Root of Trust in an IoT device, it promotes interoperability across different vendors and more consistent use by IoT device makers and service providers.

An additional advantage is that the SIM has advanced security and cryptographic features, including a securely designed central processing unit (CPU) and dedicated secure memory to store operating system programmes, keys and certificate data. This protects IoT devices from various hacking scenarios, such as cloning, physical attacks to a single device, and remote attacks from the internet to numerous devices.

Although this advanced functionality and infrastructure means the SIM can effectively function as the hardware Root of Trust in an IoT device, the fragmentation challenge is not completely removed. This is because device middleware must still be modified to enable access to the SIM services.

It was apparent, therefore, that removing this design hurdle was critical to the development of a scalable, secure IoT ecosystem.

Introducing IoT SAFE

It’s widely recognised that industry collaboration is key to promoting a secure, interoperable connected future. To further extend the capability of the SIM, GSMA and SIMalliance have partnered on IoT SAFE (IoT SIM Applet For Secure End-2-End Communication).

IoT SAFE directly addresses the significant challenge of industry fragmentation. By specifying a common API and defining a standardised way to leverage the SIM to securely perform mutual authentication between IoT device applications and the cloud, it is far easier for IoT device makers to execute security services and manage credentials across millions of devices.

And as all of the critical security functions are executed on the SIM rather than untrusted areas of the device, the robustness of the mutual authentication is assured. Also, a remote interface enables the management of the secure IoT applet throughout its lifecycle.

Delivering flexibility and maximising investments

The benefits of IoT SAFE go beyond scalability and security. For example, as security functions can be delegated to the SIM, device makers are not solely dependent on cloud provider services to secure their products and solutions.

In addition, SIMs are already widely deployed to ensure trusted connectivity across the mobile ecosystem.

Graham Trickey, Head of IoT, GSMA, said:

“For over 25 years the SIM has been the ‘Root of Trust’ for the mobile industry, its security constantly evolving over this period so that today the SIM secures over 9.4 billion cellular connected devices[1]. IoT SAFE extends the security capabilities of the SIM even further to secure new IoT services end-to-end, underpinning a new generation of IoT services and billions of new IoT devices.”

An estimated 5.6 billion SIMs were shipped in 2018 alone, with estimated total shipments from 2013 to 2018 hitting 32 billion. This can be leveraged to deliver enhanced security for devices with minimal additional investment.

The post Making the IoT Scalable, Simpler and SAFEr appeared first on IoT Business News.

Things Mobile, the operator dedicated to the Internet of Things (IoT) with the best-selling SIM cards on Amazon, presents the “Eco-SIM Card”, the first environment-friendly SIM that does not waste plastic.

This innovative SIM card is able to connect millions of smart devices, from washing machines to drinking water systems, through to fleet tracking or security systems.

The idea of Things Mobile is to reduce the useless waste of plastic used in SIM cards, respecting the environment and nature.

Traditional SIM cards, in fact, are produced and sold in a plastic frame in the shape of a “credit card”, which is completely useless, since the first thing you do when you buy it is to remove it and then throw it away.

That’s why Things Mobile has developed a new, much smaller format that greatly minimizes the environmental impact. “Eco-SIM Card” is a brand new SIM card that has minimized the material, since the size of the packaging is about a quarter of that currently on the market: the new SIM card uses less than 4 grams of plastic, compared to the 16 grams of traditional cards.

As Manuel Zanella (43 years old), founder and CEO of Things Mobile notes:

“All the plastic used to package SIM cards is now superfluous because the IoT devices typically use nano or micro SIM cards. With the new Eco-SIM card, we manage to save 80% of plastic, 13 tons in 3 years, and a reduce CO2 emissions equal to 8,000 kg, just as much as a car emits to travel around the world – a truly incredible quantity.”

Juan De la Coba, Co-founder of Things Mobile explains:
“Our SIM cards help businesses to achieve entirely automated and interconnected industrial production. This means lower costs and lower energy consumption. In addition, each company can manage its own SIM cards with our IoT Portal. Regardless of the number of SIM cards, you accelerate time to market, reduce costs and increase reliability with automated connectivity management.”

The post The Environment-friendly SIM Card for IoT and M2M by Things Mobile That Does Not Waste Plastic appeared first on IoT Business News.

Sierra Wireless today announced that its smart IoT connectivity solution is enabling global communications for France Télévisions, the main public broadcaster in France, ensuring global connectivity for its broadcast journalists around the world.

Previously, reporters had to buy local SIM cards in each country in order to broadcast their TV reports. Sierra Wireless’ smart IoT connectivity solution automatically connects to the best available 2G, 3G, or LTE network in a given region, without the need for installing a local SIM card and configuring the equipment. France Télévisions’ cameras and distribution equipment are always “ready to use” to reliably broadcast news reports from wherever news breaks. France Télévisions can also manage its subscriptions in the cloud, using the AirVantage™ Platform.

Cédric Masset, France Télévisions’ head of the projects department for national newsrooms, said:
“Reporters previously had to buy and set up the SIM card locally to be able to upload their video reports to France Télévisions systems. Sierra Wireless’ IoT connectivity has exceeded our expectations. It saves our staff a significant amount of time and hassle and provides the capacity for reporters to share news far more rapidly.”

Marc Overton, Chief Solutions Officer, Sierra Wireless, said:

“No matter where in the world a newsworthy event is taking place, Sierra Wireless’ smart IoT connectivity ensures France Télévisions reporters are ready to broadcast whenever and wherever they need to.”

The post Sierra Wireless Global Connectivity Enables France Télévisions’ Journalists to Broadcast from Around the World appeared first on IoT Business News.

CheerIoT will launch global IoT connectivity for €0,148 / month at MWC’19 in Barcelona.

IoT Connectivity provider CheerIoT announces world’s first IoT shared data plan with flat rate. The one-off price for a SIM Card is €8,90 and includes a 5-year data bundle of 300 MB.

The shared data bundle can be used at any time during 5 years in 72 countries with multiple operators per country. The IoT SIM card itself, and a complete IoT management platform is included in this one-off price.

CheerIoT SIM cards are specifically designed for IoT initiatives, such as fleet management, smart city, connected cars, smart metering, wearables and many more.

Based on a monthly usage of 5 MB per SIM card, the average monthly price per SIM card is below €0,15.

Additional data, countries and networks are available based on prepaid, starting at a MB rate below €0,02 per MB.

The proposition will be launched at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, which is held 25-28 February.

The pricing includes an online IoT Platform for real-time connectivity and SIM management, and an IoT development layer to collect sensor data to let customers create their own IoT applications. CheerIoT’s platform provides users with a complete IoT development toolbox to support any kind of IoT project based on any type of cellular connectivity and LoraWAN.

All functionalities are also available through APIs, allowing businesses to integrate with their own systems. Using the Cloud Platform, the client is just a few clicks away from initiating a VPN or private APN connection between the CheerIoT SIM card and their own data center.