Recently, IoT Sources released its Top 10 Communications Innovators for the IoT industry. Each of these innovators is pushing hard to help establish one of the critical elements required to support expanding the Internet of Things deployments – wider wireless pipes that consume less power.
Enter the emerging fifth-generation, or 5G, wireless network rollouts that are pushing communications providers to move beyond mobile phones to support networks of connected devices.
According to an article by Enterprisetech.com, “As wireless carriers jockey for position—including a proposed merger between T-Mobile and Sprint—emerging IoT applications such as low-power, wide area connections are forecast to grow at a more than 200-percent annual rate through 2021.” IHS Markit predicts emerging 5G-based connections will help boost machine-to-machine connections as well new IoT platforms and services. Julian Watson, senior IoT analyst at IHS stated,
“In order to scale up IoT revenues, operators will need to pursue a broader IoT strategy that goes beyond connectivity into IoT platforms, vertical offerings and ecosystem orchestration, by pre-integrating partner platforms, hardware and sensors into their IoT offerings, operators can make it easier for enterprises to plan and budget for IoT projects.”
These communications providers are running fast to lead the exponential growth forecasted for the IoT as billions of IoT devices are activated. Providers are also determining the best positions to compete for whether through only connectivity or with platforms and applications.
