The internet of things, or IoT, continues to expand in both expected and unexpected ways. New IoT devices are being developed for everything from monitoring health data to controlling home security systems. This proliferation of IoT devices is driven by the falling cost of sensors and wireless connectivity, as well as the increasing capabilities of artificial intelligence.
As IoT devices become more widespread, they are also becoming more interconnected. This interconnectedness is creating new opportunities for IoT applications, most notably the telecommunications industry, as well as new challenges for security and privacy. The continued expansion of the internet of things is sure to have a profound impact on both individuals and society as a whole.
Read on to see how this expansion is affecting 3 industries in ways we never thought possible and how the telecommunications industry plays a central role in that expansion.
Industrial Monitoring Systems
A staggering 87 percent of industrial companies intend to extend their use of IoT to better manage their resources and equipment in real-time. Industry 4.0 presents a significant opportunity for telecoms to enter the industrial sector by enabling connections in intelligent supply chains.
Tailored network offers are one method for Communication Service Providers (CSPs) to profit from IoT in the telecom business. They link every component of the complex industrial environment, from temperature sensors to flow meters, to enable end-to-end supply chain visibility, boost production efficiency, and save costs.
T-Mobile was one of the first carriers to use the Internet of Things in telecom applications. To help industrial clients capitalize on the value of data in their warehouses, the business created the first Narrowband IoT network in the United States in 2018.
Smart Cities and Shared Economy
The mainstays of smart city deployment are 5G and Narrowband IoT. As a result, CSPs form mutually advantageous public-private partnerships with municipalities, local governments, and universities to provide crucial services for digitizing and integrating urban infrastructure.
Telecoms may play a variety of roles in the smart-city value chain, assisting in the development of efficient, inclusive, and connected environments while also increasing their income share.
Operators may additionally expand their capabilities to provide data management and monitoring solutions, as well as establish branded customer-facing service delivery platforms, in addition to providing internet.
The vast number of real-life use cases of telco cooperation in intelligent city initiatives demonstrates that the urban environment provides fertile ground for telecom operators.
Hundreds of Tier-1 telecom players are upgrading cities throughout the world by delivering IoT-based solutions, including AT&T, Comcast, Cox, and Cisco, to name a few.
Smart Homes and Buildings
Telecommunication companies are also playing an increasingly important role in the smart home and construction industry. Telecom operators are promoting themselves as third-party resellers of customized consumer applications and services for this area, in addition to providing network resources and bandwidth to connect heating, utilities, air conditioning, alarms, locks, cameras, and appliances.
Comcast was one of the first telecommunication companies to invest in smart homes, adding Xfinity to its home entertainment portfolio. On a single dashboard, the service unites TV, internet, mobile, and home management. Competing telecommunication companies are starting to follow Comcast’s lead.
In order to capitalize on smart home potential, they are forming partnerships with hardware and software vendors to develop linked home solutions.
Verizon’s recent collaboration with Honeywell to incorporate the provider’s LTE connectivity into smart meters, or Telefónica’s recent collaboration with Microsoft to offer innovative AI-powered in-home experiences for customers are just two examples in this arena.
Conclusion
These are just a few examples but IoT will continue to expand, paving the way for the expansion of more technology.
If you’re interested in learning about how IoT can help your business, let us know. We can be a valuable resource in helping you to understand how the internet of things can help you to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and save money.
With the right implementation, IoT can be a game changer for businesses in a variety of industries but especially the telecommunications industry.
If you’re curious about how IoT could help your business, let ConnectMeBetter serve as that resource.