Remote - Fall 2016 - 8

Feature Article On Demand Connectivity: Simplifying the Industrial Internet of Things Juan Carlos Lazcano, Vice President of M2M Gemalto, North America The industrial sector is exploding with new connected technologies that are improving the way business is done. Advanced fleet management solutions, connected vehicles and equipment, smart building management systems and wearable lone worker tracking devices are being deployed across a wide variety of vertical markets. A report from Business Insider estimates that the Internet of Things (IoT) will soon be the largest device market in the world -more than double the size of the smartphone, PC, tablet, connected car and the wearable markets combined1. The rise of smart industrial solutions is helping enterprises gain a competitive edge in today's demanding business environment. It's also an important growth sector for Mobile Network Operators who like Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solutions for their economical use of bandwidth and extremely low churn rates. On-Demand Connectivity (ODC) solutions and services hold an important key to simplifying the complexities of Machine-to-Machine (M2M) design and development, and overcoming a major hurdle to IIoT deployment. Examining the Unique Challenges of M2M Connectivity, the Engine Behind the IoT Examining the unique challenges of M2M uncovers that there are different design and connectivity requirements compared to consumer devices, especially when it comes to durability, longevity and global reach. For instance, M2M devices require ruggedized components that are engineered to withstand extreme temperatures, vibration and harsh environmental conditions. They also need to operate reliably for 10+ years, six to eight years longer than your typical consumer wireless product. And for global enterprises, they need to have certified devices that operate reliably on multiple wireless networks. Every device or machine that connects to a wireless mobile network requires a UICC card, also known as a SIM or MIM card (Machine Identification Module), to authenticate and identify the IoT device to a specific carrier network. These components also encrypt communications and provision or turn on wireless service. Traditionally, SIM and MIM cards were specific to one mobile network and in order to activate or update service plans, a new card would be installed in the device. Plugging in a SIM card to activate service is a widely understood concept for most people who use a cell phone or wireless device. However, this poses a huge challenge for the majority of M2M and IoT devices where updates are not easy. For example, fleet management devices need to operate for the life of the vehicle and they are typically installed under the dash or in hard to reach areas. When vehicles and equipment are sold or moved to a new area, more often than not, wireless service plans need to be updated by a trained technician, which requires a costly and time-consuming service visit. In some cases, M2M technology needs to be encapsulated and sealed to remain water- and dust-resistant as well as protected from excessive temperature, vibration and shock. Opening a sealed device such as a smart meter under glass in order to update a UICC card diminishes the integrity of the device and leads to warranty issues. Things get even more complicated when M2M components need to be soldered into place during mass manufacturing. This practice increases the durability of the device, but until recently, it also irrevocably links the device to one specific carrier before it leaves the factory. This is difficult for global enterprises that need to deploy solutions across many different mobile networks because it requires a specific product variant for each carrier - the inventory and distribution logistics are enormously costly and complicated. The same is true for solutions that offer connectivity as a bundled part of the solution. New Industry Standard Paves the Way for On-Demand Connectivity Until recently, the lack of flexibility in M2M and IoT cellular connectivity has been a longtime bottleneck to deploying IoT solutions. To address this challenge, the GSMA collaborated with industry leaders to define specifications for a new remote provisioning standard that leverages a single universal UICC (SIM card) as a stock unit. Keeping security paramount, the UICC starts out as an MNO-independent component that is securely configured Over-The-Air (OTA) for any MNO subscription profile at the time of deployment. The new standard defines an advanced subscription management system with siloed security domains within the UICC to ensure a secure OTA process. The fully automated process identifies the embedded UICC and the enterprise operating it before the MNO profile can be downloaded and activated. 8 www.RemoteMagazine.com http://www.RemoteMagazine.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Remote - Fall 2016