IoT Connectivity Solutions

Contents

Selecting an IoT connectivity solution

Selecting a connectivity solution is an important aspect of defining your solution, and getting it wrong can be very expensive.

For an overview of the main managed IoT solution providers, read this guide. For an understanding of the criteria that should be used to select a provider, read on..

Before considering the criteria, it’s very important to absolutely clear on the required use cases – both now and in the future.

Once these are clear, the following factors need to be considered:

Budgetary

Upfront costs
Subscription costs
Overage costs
Associated costs
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Device connectivity

Range
Power/Battery requirements
Bandwidth/Data Rate
Device coverage
Local backhaul coverage
Global coverage
Signal quality (attenuation & variation)

End to End Connectivity

Security
- Inflight – authentication, integrity & confidentiality (encryption)
- At rest – data security on the device
- Physical device security
Stability & Reliability
Quality of Service (QoS)Confirmed data
- Licensed/Unlicensed
- Public Enterprise, Public Community or Private Networks

Use case & Data usage

Number of devices
Data Usage per device per month
Environment
Relative location

Operational

Simplicity
- Zero touch provisioning
- Remote serviceability (FUOTA, Configuration, Diagnostics)
Network management
- Fully managed solution
- Self-managed
- Hybrid
Time to market?
Billing management
- Management portal
- Zero-touch management
- Single global contract
- Contracts per MNO/MVNO/Country

Future

Scalability
Future proof technology

Types of network operator

MNO’s, MVNO’s and MVNE’s

Switching between network operators

Before you deploy your system, you need to consider your ability to change your connectivity solution whist equipment is deployed in the field.

This ability is dependent on the type and functionality of the SIM selected, and is covered here.

Gartner Research

Critical Capabilities for Managed IoT Connectivity Services, Worldwide

Summary

Access to managed connectivity services is invaluable when deploying Internet of Things capitalized-based solutions at scale. When selecting a provider, I&O leaders should look beyond network coverage to the quality and capability of vendor portals, security and broader deployment support services.

Published: 10 February 2020

A1 Digital
Aeris
Arm
AT&T
Cubic Telecom
Deutsche Telekom
Itron
KORE
KPN
Orange Business Services
ORBCOMM
Sierra Wireless
Sprint
Tele2 IoT
Telefónica
Telenor Group
Verizon
Vodafone

Magic Quadrant for Managed IoT Connectivity Services, Worldwide

https://www.gartner.com/doc/3976258

Market Definition/Description
- Market Description
- Distinguishing Managed IoT Connectivity Services and IoT
  - Sourcing and Logistics Management
  - Connectivity Management Portal
  - Service Management and Support
  - SIM and Subscription Management
  - Device Management
  - Application Management
  - Security Management
  - Multisourcing Service Integration
- Provider Models
  - Communications Service Providers
  - Mobile Virtual Network Operators
  - Hardware Module Manufacturers and Hardware Intellectual Property Companies
  - IT Outsourcers and Integrators
  - OT and IT Vendors
  - Dedicated IoT Network Providers
Magic Quadrant
- Vendor Strengths and Cautions
  - A1 Digital
  - Aeris
  - Arm
  - AT&T
  - Cubic Telecom
  - Deutsche Telekom
  - Itron
  - KORE
  - KPN
  - Orange Business Services
  - ORBCOMM
  - Sierra Wireless
  - Sprint
  - Tele2 IoT
  - Telefónica
  - Telenor Group
  - Verizon
  - Vodafone
- Vendors Added and Dropped
  - Added
  - Dropped
Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
Evaluation Criteria
- Ability to Execute
  - Product or Service
  - Overall Viability
  - Sales Execution/Pricing
  - Market Responsiveness/Record
  - Marketing Execution
  - Customer Experience
  - Operations
- Completeness of Vision
  - Market Understanding
  - Marketing Strategy
  - Sales Strategy
  - Offering (Product) Strategy
  - Business Model
  - Vertical/Industry Strategy
  - Innovation
  - Geographic Strategy
- Quadrant Descriptions
  - Leaders
  - Challengers
  - Visionaries
  - Niche Players
Context
Market Overview
- Market Growth Remains Solid, With Network Coverage and Pricing as Main Decision Factors for Enterprises
- 3GPP LPWA Networks’ Adoption Is Slower Than Expected With Roaming Challenges
- Continued Price Pressure and Pricing Simplification Through Bundling
- MVNOs Are Shifting Their Strategies to Use Cases Where They Can Bring Value Compared With CSPs

Just IoT