'As a service' model will create an accessible and future proof Internet of Things

Nick Sacke, head of products and IoT at Comms365, believes that the IoT is on the cusp of mass deployment, as organisations leverage low power wide area networking (LPWAN) and new IoT as a Service deployment models to achieve fast, low risk and low cost innovation

The Internet of Things (IoT) is arguably set to be the biggest driver of productivity and growth in the next decade, with Accenture estimating it could add $14.2 trillion to the global economy by 2030. Despite the hype and excitement, we seem to be a very long way from realising that vision - especially in the UK. From network costs that are simply too expensive, to sensors created by innovative, but small, startups, IoT at scale has simply not been achieved. The question many organisations are beginning to ask is: can the IoT really deliver out of the lab, in the real world?

IoT Constraints

While the concept of IoT offers appeal to businesses of every size, there are several issues that have deterred many organisations, especially SMEs, from entering the market. The escalating costs of 3G and 4G mobile networks have made IoT projects at scale unaffordable, and while the market has responded with the introduction of LPWANs, as yet there is no one solution standard. Indeed, in the UK, there is no single network that provides nationwide coverage.

In addition to the networking issues, the sheer complexity of creating a reliable and sustainable IoT infrastructure has affected the development of viable business models. Not only must companies find a way to manage sensors, networks, data storage, data analytics and an essential link to operational systems that leverage IoT data to drive improvements, but they are concerned about the long-term viability of the model and underpinning technologies.

For any business tempted to invest, there are some very real concerns. Where is the future proofing? Where is the consistent, proven and reliable network infrastructure? How can the complexity of IoT projects be managed effectively without investing in huge additional technical resources? The good news is that the IoT is hitting a new level of maturity in both technology and delivery model that will reduce risk and cost and provide that essential future proofing.

IoT Maturity

While the cost model of mobile technologies has made IoT at scale unattainable to date, there has been a rapid evolution of LPWAN technology that is paving the way for applications using tens of thousands, even millions of devices. While there are licensed cellular variants such as Narrowband IoT (Nb-IoT), currently being used in pilot projects in Eastern Europe and southern Spain, it is the unlicensed LPWANs that are being rolled out fastest, with national LPWANs already in place in the Netherlands, France, Spain, South America, South Asia and several more.

One of the most notable global LPWAN technology developments is LoRaWAN, created by Semtech, marketed and sustained by 500+ organisations in the Lora Alliance standard, which is being rolled out across multiple countries. While today there is no single cross-UK network, the ability to blend networks in different regional areas, including the adoption of international roaming via LPWANs, now provides organisations with a seamless, low cost, scalable IoT network model.

This growing maturity of network technology is being mirrored by the advancement in design and manufacturing of devices - with new sensors and devices available with batteries that can last up to five years, minimising on-going cost and maintenance requirements. Essentially, it is now possible to deliver IoT projects through blended network solutions at a far lower cost - opening the door for projects that scale to millions of devices.

'As a service' model will create an accessible and future proof Internet of Things

Nick Sacke, head of products and IoT at Comms365, believes that the IoT is on the cusp of mass deployment, as organisations leverage low power wide area networking (LPWAN) and new IoT as a Service deployment models to achieve fast, low risk and low cost innovation

Proof of Concept

This maturity is being confirmed by the growing number of high profile IoT projects that are beginning to build confidence in both the IoT concept and specific technologies, including sensors that are being manufactured and deployed at scale. For example, the Smart City project in Milton Keynes uses sensors in the road that can tell when a vehicle is parked. In addition to enabling new parking enforcement systems, the project is collecting sensor data to analyse trends in parking activity to support on-going road management planning.

Similarly, the Cambridge Smart City project is already starting to measure air quality within this highly congested environment. With pollution a recognised threat to public health, local councils are being asked to act - and Smart City projects across the country are looking to use air quality sensors to both provide insight into trends but also deliver real time alerts to support public health advice.

While impressive, these projects are still far less sophisticated in scope and deployment density than many of the developments globally. In Eastern Europe and the Far East, IoT at scale is becoming a reality with large scale deployments of lighting, metering, air quality, parking and waste management sensors leveraging the new LPWAN network infrastructures.

End to End IoT

In tandem with technology advancing is a maturing market model, with a growing number of providers stepping up to manage the network fragmentation and delivering IoT solutions as a service: a future-proof model. This end to end IoT model encompasses every aspect of the solution, from sourcing and deploying sensors to creating the blended network, managing data storage and undertaking analytics. In addition, with integration skills and the use of APIs, IoT platforms and their vital data can be made accessible to operational systems.

These projects are no longer ad hoc; market maturity is enabling the shift towards operationalising proven IoT applications. The IoT as a Service model will make key applications, such as building management systems, smart parking, pest control and waste bin management available for instant use without heavy customisation, removing all barriers to entry, especially within the SME market.

We are now on the cusp of something momentous in IoT. The technology components, including low-cost networks, are now in place; the end to end service model with its new ‘as a Service' potential is reducing the risk and cost to entry, whilst future-proofing investment. IoT is no longer just a tantalising concept - with the operationalisation of key applications, especially within facilities management, it is about to explode into day to day business operations.

Nick Sacke is Head of Products and IoT at Comms365 and has over 30 years of telecommunications experience, ranging from sales to director roles. As the commercial and technical lead for the company's IoT business, his key responsibilities involve developing and managing its product roadmap, as well as planning and executing its commercial IoT strategy.

There is a lot of noise around IoT at the moment, and it's quickly becoming one of the fastest growing areas of technology. However, Nick believes there is a real need for ‘real world' end-to-end IoT solutions that deliver defined outcomes and added value to the customer.