Global Operators Agree New Guidelines to Define How Internet of Things (IoT) Devices and Applications Should Connect to a Mobile Network, Ensuring Optimal Performance and Aiding Growth of IoT

LONDON - Tuesday, October 14th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The GSMA today announced the publication of guidelines for the Internet of Things (IoT) market that outline how devices and applications should communicate via mobile networks in the most intelligent and efficient way. The report, ‘IoT Device Connection Efficiency Guidelines,’ has received the backing of leading mobile operators including AT&T, China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom, Deutsche Telekom, Etisalat, KT Corporation, Orange, NTT DOCOMO, Tata Teleservices Ltd., Telefónica, Telenor Connexion and VimpelCom as well as ecosystem partners including Sierra Wireless and Jasper and aims to support device and application developers as the IoT market develops. The guidelines include a number of best practice areas such as data aggregation within devices, non-synchronous network access, application scalability and guidance on how to manage signaling traffic from de-activated or out-of-subscription SIMs.

“It is imperative that the IoT market develops with the right standards and best practices in place, reducing undue pressure on mobile networks across the world and allowing the Internet of Things to grow unimpeded,” said Alex Sinclair, Chief Technology Officer, GSMA. “The GSMA has worked closely with its operator members to develop connection efficiency guidelines that ensure that IoT device and application makers can follow a common approach to create efficient, reliable services that can scale as the market grows and we encourage all parties to adopt these moving forward.”

The GSMA’s ‘IoT Device Connection Efficiency Guidelines’ are intended for use by all players in the mobile ecosystem, ensuring that mobile networks can efficiently accommodate the increased number of connected devices and services resulting from the rapid growth of M2M. According to GSMA Intelligence, the total number of mobile connections is expected to reach 7.4 billion in 2014 rising to 10 billion by 2020. The guidelines will help IoT device and application developers expand the number of devices connecting to mobile networks, whilst preventing service outages and ensuring optimal performance that will ultimately enable the market to scale across a diverse range of sectors including automotive, transportation, utilities and health.

In addition to the guidelines announced today, the GSMA is also undertaking a project to develop a common set of acceptance tests for IoT devices and applications to ensure best practices are being followed. The project will establish a single, standard set of connection efficiency tests for IoT devices and applications, enabling players across the industry to develop and deploy IoT services with confidence.

The ‘IoT Device Connection Efficiency Guidelines’ is an initiative developed by the GSMA Connected Living programme. The programme is designed to help operators accelerate the delivery of new connected devices and services in the M2M market. It focuses on driving industry collaboration, promoting appropriate regulation and optimising networks to support the growth of M2M in the immediate future and the IoT in the longer term.

To download the ‘IoT Device Connection Efficiency Guidelines’ please go to: http://www.gsma.com/connectedliving/gsma-iot-device-connection-efficiency-guidelines/.

For more information on the GSMA’s Connected Living Programme please go to: www.gsma.com/connectedliving.

-ENDS-

OPERATOR QUOTES

AT&T

“The growth of the Internet of Things brings a number of challenges with it such as the rise in the number of connected M2M devices and the huge demand they will place on mobile networks. The GSMA’s IoT Device Connection Efficiency Guidelines advocate that the mobile ecosystem adopt a common approach to offset pressure on networks which creates a reliable and efficient network for everyone,” said Cameron Coursey, Vice President of Product Development and Operations, AT&T Emerging Devices.

ETISALAT

“Etisalat supports the GSMA’s ‘IoT Device Connection Efficiency Guidelines’ and will promote its implementation within the M2M community. We believe that it will encourage the correct implementation of M2M services and accelerate the efficient expansion of the Internet of the Things,” said Angel David Garcia Barrio, VP M2M, Etisalat Group.

KT CORPORATION

“KT supports the initiative and the GSMA’s guidelines that we believe will help with the predicted growth of IoT.” - KT Corp.

NTT DOCOMO

“With the rapid increase in the development and proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, NTT DOCOMO sees a significant need for the standardization of IoT devices based on the Connection Efficiency Guidelines promoted by GSMA,” commented Naoki Tani, Managing Director of NTT DOCOMO’s M2M Business Department.

TELEFÓNICA

“These guidelines represent an important joint effort in the establishment of common standards that will accelerate the development of the M2M industry around the globe. Telefónica supports these initiatives which, through widespread participation, will greatly strengthen the mobile ecosystem. These guidelines will help developers to improve their existing projects and provide a clear framework for them to experiment, innovate and share ideas - this is beneficial for not just the entire M2M market, but society as a whole,” commented Surya Mendonça, Global Managing Director for M2M at Telefónica.

TELENOR CONNEXION AB

“We welcome the release of the GSMA’s ‘IoT Device Connection Efficiency Guidelines’, which will ensure that the barriers in adopting and launching M2M services are minimized. Previously, organisations launching M2M services had to create and test network friendly applications, which created unnecessary challenges, inconsistencies and costs for large connectivity deployments. Our key customers they have responded warmly to the release of these guidelines and are keen to see them adopted. We consider this a big step in the evolution of M2M and the IoT.” - Stephen Bryant, CTO, Telenor Connexion AB.

VIMPELCOM LTD.

“The security of VimpelCom’s networks and the efficiency of them are among the main priorities in our company. I want to thank the GSMA for the development of the guidelines for cooperation in M2M area. I’m happy that VimpelCom has been involved in this initiative and we appreciate the help, experience and support from other operators,” said Jo Lunder, CEO, VimpelCom Ltd.

ECOSYSTEM PARTNER QUOTES

JASPER

“Compatibility between devices, networks and applications is key to IoT service growth. Widespread adoption of these best practices will establish global standards for building and scaling IoT service businesses worldwide,” said Daniel Collins, CTO of Jasper. “Jasper shares the GSMA's commitment to industry acceleration, and has been delighted to contribute our expertise to the development of these guidelines.”

SIERRA WIRELESS

“The widespread adoption of cellular connectivity for the Internet of Things brings great opportunities but also significant challenges, technical and business related. As a global innovative leader in M2M technology, Sierra Wireless has long been working with industry partners on addressing these challenges while still making IoT application development easy. We are looking forward to supporting and advancing this work with GSMA and to bringing these innovative solutions to market,” said Philippe Guillemette, CTO, Sierra Wireless.

About the GSMA

The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide. Spanning more than 220 countries, the GSMA unites nearly 800 of the world’s mobile operators with 250 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and Internet companies, as well as organisations in industry sectors such as financial services, healthcare, media, transport and utilities. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as Mobile World Congress and Mobile Asia Expo.

For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA.

Contacts

For the GSMA

Charlie Meredith-Hardy, +44 7917 298428

CMeredith-Hardy@webershandwick.com

or

GSMA Press Office

pressoffice@gsma.com

Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/12430/en