The Internet of Things is simplifying how people interact with devices. Regardless of where you connect from, with the benefit of IoT, people can obtain, manipulate, and view data of their devices anytime with ease and flexibility. The rise of IoT is changing the way we live our lives and conduct business. 

Are our IoT solutions getting obsolete over time?

Not just the case with IoT, but technology in general has short life cycles. Technology becomes functionally obsolete after a certain point in time for several reasons. Upgraded technology, evolving use cases and market acceptance, and poor economics are a few of those reasons. 

When it comes to achieving cellular IoT, there are multiple Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN) connectivity options such as NB-IoT and LTE-M. While they may have advantages and disadvantages, certain factors of such connectivity options would eventually win out as business models and use cases emerge. 

                                               (Courtesy of GrandViewResearch)

A study conducted by the Grand View Research shows the downfall of 2G and other superannuated technologies over the coming years and the rise of new-age technologies that are better and more efficient. By 2025, it is predicted that cellular network technologies such as 5G, NBIoT, and LTE M will lead the way to large scale global IoT solution deployments and replace outdated ones.

What is future-proofing?

Future-proofing protects your assets from consequences. In case a certain technology solution reaches an End-of-Life stage, companies may have to re-train and adapt to a newer solution all over again. Ensuring what you buy is future-proof would imply that your investment is cost-effective and maximizes return-on-investment (ROI).

How can you future-proof your Cellular IoT implementation?

Change is absolute, taking the courage to face and manage it, is the skill you require for conducting future-proofing. Leveraging on these new technologies and scaling its performance should be done after understanding its underlying concepts and systems built around it to be able to merge and work with the current systems of operations. The lessons learned and the experience should arm you with the “how-to” for better IoT solutions future requirements.

Below are five considerations to keep in mind to ensure a future-proofed IoT landscape.

PORTABILITY

Shifting several platforms to the cloud was a painful change to many large enterprises. Many may not have believed that the systems they were built on would ever need to be moved. A critical part of ensuring that your new IoT deployment is future-proofed would enhance its portability so that it is ready for the next infrastructure trend in the business.

FLEXIBILITY

The ability to quickly adapt to new protocols, devices, and integrations is vital for a flexible IoT solution. With IoT emerging as a fast-changing platform, it is indeed a challenge to be able to easily let in new devices to the ecosystem. 

SECURITY

Security plays an important aspect to the deployment of any IoT solution. An IoT solution is not only expected to deliver value, but also live up to the brand that the company has already built. An enterprise that builds one solution and fails to address authentication, authorization, and encryption of data in motion would ultimately put their entire corporate initiative at risk.

OPEN STANDARDS

If you value interoperability with other businesses, computers, and users, and don't want to be limited by proprietary data formats, open standards are the way to go. It is much easier to use a closed proprietary standard for user-flexibility. An open protocol may make the user adhere to the regulations of that standard. Keeping an open standard helps in integrations, enhancements, and additions by keeping your solutions globally relevant.

How will C1RM, C31QM, and C42 QM future-proof IoT solutions with the fallback option to legacy networks like 2G and 3G?

• C1RM is an NB-IoT module with 2G fallback and an integrated eSIM for global data connectivity. The eSIM technology has revolutionized the face of IoT connectivity making it the ultimate solution for companies facing a 2G fallback support. Incorporating Cavli’s C1RM SmartModem+ can benefit industries and companies situated in areas where NB-IoT is yet to be launched.
• C31QM is an NB-IoT/CAT-M module with 2G fallback based on the 3GPP release 13 along with GNSS support which makes it an apt choice for any solution requiring tracking services like asset tracking, fleet management, etc.
• C42QM is the updated version of C31QM with a smaller footprint, lower power consumption and an increased number of supported network bands thus helping in future-proofing with the new upcoming network frequencies and bands in the spectrum. 

The goal of Cavli Wireless is to help companies configure the required network access &  data plan on to the module remotely through its cloud platform Cavli Hubble. Based on network availability, IoT OEMs can switch the devices between NB-IoT and 2G and other networks such as LTE-M, LTE CAT 4 among others through.

 How does Cavli Hubble ensure seamless switchover from legacy networks to new age networks?

Hubble as device orchestration and monitoring 

Cavli Hubble allows for connectivity of 600 networks in more than 180 countries across the globe by just using a single cloud platform.

FOTA

It helps provide secure onboarding, over-the-air updates, and life-cycle management with built-in security features to mitigate device vulnerabilities and provides the latest features in the industry.

GSMA Security 

GSMA SGP.02 Version 3.2 SAS, a certified remote subscription management platform ensures secure onboarding, provisioning, and over-the-air updates. Integration with the platform ensures security from the device to the data and throughout.

Web service API

HTTP-based RESTful APIs is an open standard language for integrating the device management services into IT systems, and streamline operations.