During his session, Kushal Shah, Business Development Director, Mobile Virtual Network Operators at BT Wholesale, presented the crucial role that low-power networks can and will play in IoT. According to the research quoted, it is suggested that low-power networks could account for 50% of total connections by 2032. Kushal highlighted that whether one thinks the figure will be 50%, 40%, or even 30%, it will undoubtedly be significantly higher than it is today and will make a substantial impact on the industry.
BT is committed to supporting IoT players and helping them leverage the opportunities presented by low-power networks, ensuring they are ready to thrive in this evolving landscape.
Low-power networks, as currently defined, include NB-IoT, LTE-M, and other low-power wide-area networks. Let’s dive in to understand their potential.
What is a low-power network?
Kushal Shah - BT Wholesale (KS): “My definition of a low-power network is a wireless technology with wide-area coverage that supports low data throughput or bit rates. This enables devices to consume less energy, drawing power directly from their batteries. As a result, devices can operate on a single battery for much longer than usual, requiring far less maintenance. This reduced maintenance translates into lower operational costs for managing IoT devices and sensors.
To summarise, this technology allows for more efficient device operation, reduces battery consumption, and cuts maintenance costs.”
Where do we see the adoption and the highest potential?
Some of the market segments where adoption and efficiency are driving uptake for low-power networks are quite specific. The key areas identified include:
Utilities: This includes water and electricity meters, which need to be managed efficiently across a wide area
Smart Cities: Environmental monitoring, such as measuring noise levels, air pressure, and air quality, with devices deployed in the field gathering this data
Industrial IoT: Asset tracking to ensure goods are monitored efficiently. This doesn’t require a lot of data but relies on sensors covering a wide area, ensuring an efficient supply chain and enabling predictive maintenance
Healthcare: Remote patient monitoring and elderly care, where the focus isn’t on high data consumption but rather on ensuring people are safe, well, and connected to the network
Smart Agriculture: Precision farming to help farmers monitor their livestock and crop health. Sensors in the field require minimal data and battery usage while providing valuable insights
Kushal highlighted that it is generally believed the automotive sector will require higher bandwidth usage; hence, it is not the key focus, and the use cases above will be the ones driving demand.
Why are low-power networks gaining traction, and why should they be a focus?
Low-power networks are gaining significant momentum for several key reasons, and it's important to keep them in mind as the market evolves. While these networks have existed for some time, a confluence of factors is now making them increasingly critical:
Shutdown of 2G and 3G Networks: There is an ongoing push to phase out these legacy networks, which is driving the demand for more modern, efficient alternatives like low-power networks
Competitive pressures: As the number of IoT devices grows and IoT services scale, there is a heightened need to reduce operational costs and extend battery life. Low-power networks are essential in addressing these challenges
Sustainability goals: Organisations are increasingly focused on reducing their carbon footprint, which is driving the demand for energy-efficient solutions like low-power networks
Advancements in devices and sensors: As IoT devices and sensors become more sophisticated, they require low-power technologies to operate efficiently, further driving the need for such networks
Standardisation: Efforts are underway to establish uniform protocols and technologies to enhance interoperability, efficiency, and scalability across diverse devices and applications
Initiatives are in progress to reduce fragmentation, ensure interoperability, and secure government support, including funding, to provide low-power networks with the attention necessary to achieve these goals.
Key benefits for IoT MVNOs
What are the key advantages for MVNOs? Kushal outlined key areas to focus on to capitalise on the opportunities presented by low-power networks for those MVNOs already in the space or aspiring to be:
Competitive advantage and market differentiation: Low-power networks allow IoT MVNOs to differentiate products and expand their service portfolio, reaching new verticals and use cases. Integrating these networks also helps achieve sustainability goals, enhancing brand identity.
Cost efficiency: Low-power networks reduce operational costs by lowering energy consumption and maintenance needs. Longer battery life means devices require less upkeep, further cutting maintenance expenses.
Extended coverage: Low-power networks extend coverage beyond standard networks, especially in rural or hard-to-reach areas where 4G or 5G may struggle. They can also seamlessly integrate with existing networks like 3G and 4G, creating a more versatile system.
How BT Wholesale is supporting MVNOs
BT Wholesale is enabling MVNOs to take advantage of these opportunities through three key pillars:
Network innovation
BT Wholesale is committed to ensuring a clear roadmap for delivering the latest technologies.
KS: “We are repurposing the 2G frequency for NB-IoT. Recently, we launched NB-IoT, which is specifically designed for solutions requiring long battery life, deep coverage, and data-only capabilities. We continue to innovate with both short-term and long-term technology roadmaps to meet evolving needs.”
As part of their commitment to innovation, Kushal highlighted that LTE-M will be available in early 2025, offering long battery life for mobile devices. Unlike NB-IoT, which is designed for static devices, LTE-M supports voice and data, making it more versatile for mobile applications. Looking ahead, 5G Standalone will enable end-to-end 5G across the network, with additional technologies like LoRaWAN, REDCap, enhanced REDCap, and satellite also on the horizon. REDCap reduces battery demands, improving efficiency.
Network leadership
Network leadership has been a cornerstone of the BT EE network, ranked the best in the UK for 11 consecutive years in three independent surveys. OpenSignal consistently shows EE providing superior quality compared to the other major networks. Umlaut ranks EE as the most reliable, with a 94% data reliability score, far ahead of Vodafone at 84%. RootMetrics reports that EE offers speeds two to three times faster than its competitors.
IoT coverage and its partnership strategy
Coverage is essential for IoT solutions. The EE network offers 99% 4G coverage and 78% 5G coverage in the UK, with plans to reach 98% 5G coverage by 2028. EE collaborates with key IoT partners like Transatel, Cubic Telecom, and Wireless Logic, supporting brands across various sectors.
Key takeaways: MVNOs are uniquely positioned to address specific customer needs with tailored solutions, thanks to their deep understanding of customer requirements. As the market evolves rapidly, MVNOs have the opportunity to capitalise on the potential of low-power networks and 5G, which are opening up new possibilities for IoT and enterprise solutions. This presents further opportunities for MVNOs to thrive where larger players may be less agile. By concentrating on niche markets and adopting customer-centric strategies, MVNOs can lead the way in this expanding sector.
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