i3 - May/June 2016 - 26

Such connections accelerate productivity, according to analysts, who say that IoT capacity is creating a unified infrastructure that is more efficient
than today's fragmented industrial standards. By
using technology that allows devices to communicate via infrared sensors, radio frequency identification (RFID) and other machine-to-machine technologies, IoT developers are building an ecosystem
to unleash vast opportunities at the industrial level
as well as in consumer applications.
Tim Bajarin, president of San Jose-based
Creative Strategies Inc. and a technology analyst,
foresees even greater applications as IoT devices
expand throughout the enterprise and consumer
universe. "Telecom operators will play a key role
as they deliver the backbone for most of these
connections to the cloud," Bajarin says. "The most
exciting development will be with 5G since it delivers greater bandwidth wirelessly and will enable all
types of new and more powerful IoT connections
and services."
Although China's commitment to IoT ventures
is immense, similar initiatives are on fast tracks
around the world. Wearables and smart home
devices are the most visible aspects, but longerterm infrastructure developments including "smart
cities" and machine learning are adding to the IoT

he most exciting development will
be with 5G since it delivers greater
bandwidth wirelessly and will enable
all types of new and more powerful
IoT connections and services.

the escalating IoT opportunity. Jasper has designed a
cloud-based IoT platform
that lets companies launch,
manage and monetize IoT
services on a global scale.
Further underscoring the
trans-national frenzy to jump
-Tim Bajarin, CreativeStrategies Inc.
into IoT ventures, Gemalto,
a Dutch digital security
global juggernaut. That's why McKinsey & Co.
firm that is the world's largest manufacturer of
foresees a $1.1 trillion economic impact for IoT by
SIM cards, teamed up with Jasper to integrate its
2025, including $700 billion in retail (largely for
IoT service platform with Gemalto's LinqUs onpayments and inventory control) and $400 billion
demand connectivity system.
for vehicle applications.
Separately, General Steel Holdings, a ChineseOther researchers are equally bullish (see sidebased company registered in Nevada and listed
bar), but most agree that the IoT agenda is still tak- on the New York Stock Exchange, is migrating
ing shape, encompassing everything from personal
away from its original business (metal produchealth monitoring systems to industrial machinetion) towards IoT and logistics. The company is
to-machine (M2M) integration.
acquiring specialty firms to design, manufacture
and integrate RFID systems for supplies, inventory
and products. The company's "strategic restructurGLOBAL APPETITE TO GET INVOLVED
ing" coincides with its alliances with other firms to
Cisco's $1.4 billion acquisition this year of Santa
pursue IoT ventures.
Clara-based Jasper Technologies Inc. exemplifies
26

MAY/JUNE 2016

POLICY

ACCOMPANIES
BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT
The Consumer Technology
Association's research
foresees Internet of Things
devices and services
including wearables,
virtual reality and drones
as the "catalysts for
industry growth." In
its 2016 outlook, CTA
envisions growth in such
sectors as smart home
technology (up 21 percent
from last year), fitness
trackers (up 12 percent)
and smartwatches (up 28
percent).
Meanwhile, policy issues
continue to confront IoT
development. The newly
introduced Developing
Innovation and Growing
the Internet of Things Act
(DIGIT Act) is intended
to help federal agencies
and the private sector
provide Congress with
recommendations that will
encourage IoT ventures.
"The DIGIT Act is a step
in the right direction to
ensure the IoT industry has
access to the spectrum
it needs to continue to
grow and change our
lives for the better,"
said CTA President and
CEO Gary Shapiro as he
commended Senators
Deb Fischer (R-NE), Cory
Booker (D-NJ), Kelly Ayotte
(R-NH), and Brian Schatz
(D-HI) for introducing the
bipartisan plan.

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i3 - May/June 2016

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