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| source: Qualcomm |
AT&T plans to pilot an LTE-M network in the San Francisco market starting in November 2016, followed by a full commercial launch in 2017.
LTE-M is a subset of the Long Term Evolution 4G network standard optimized for Internet of Things sensors requiring transmission speeds no greater than about 1 Mbps, as well as up-to-10-year battery life and ability to work underground.
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| source: Qualcomm |
LTE-M technology is expected to connect a wide variety of IoT systems supporting smart utility meters, asset monitoring, vending machines, alarm systems, fleet, heavy equipment, mobile health and wearables.
Participants in the pilot include:
- Badger Meter – analyze how the LTE-M network, which is dedicated to supporting the IoT, may be used to enhance communications for smart water devices.
- CalAmp – explore how the LTE-M network can help companies more efficiently manage their connected vehicles and assets.
- Capstone Metering – demonstrate how LTE-M can improve Smart Cities sensor technologies. It will look to increase battery life and improve connectivity and sensor monitoring for underground smart water meters.
- PepsiCo – examine and test ways that sensors can improve the in-store experience with smart vending solutions for the thousands of PepsiCo products consumers love and enjoy.
- Samsung – evaluate an LTE-M-based solution to enhance performance for consumer solutions. This may include wearables or other consumer devices.