By: Jim Schakenbach

November was a busy month for telecommunications on a number of fronts, especially security, the Internet of Things, and next-generation mobile service, including 4G LTE and, yes, looking ahead to 5G.

Feeling more secure

Security has remained in the forefront with several key developments, including the growing use of security as a service among mobile service providers. The proliferation of smart mobile devices and the increasing variety of uses, especially data access and use by children has sparked the demand, which has now reached ten million subscribers worldwide.

In a related mobile security announcement, cybersecurity solution provider Avanan launched a new cloud security platform for enterprise SaaS applications the company claims enables one-click deployment of security solutions from more than sixty leading vendors. According to the company, the new cloud security platform will protect virtually any enterprise SaaS application, including Office 365, Box, and Google by offering cloud-based versions of best-of-breed technology from providers such as Symantec, Check Point, and Palo Alto Networks.

Speaking of mobile, communications technology provider Wimi Defense announced this month the upcoming launch of what they’re claiming will be the most powerful secure phone available. The new device, set to be released in January, will feature a next-gen layered security system and encryption the company states will keep both data and voice communications safe from a wide range of security threats. Wimi Defense feels confident enough about the rock-solid security of its new phones -- which uses end-to-end encryption, a secure application, and VPN to ensure security -- that it claims it’s ideal for anyone working in or for the government with a critical need for maximum communication security.

With all this focus on security, it’s no surprise that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced this month it has successfully tested the nation’s first multilingual national periodic emergency alert test system. Working with the Digital Alert Systems subsidiary of New York-based Monroe Electronics, FEMA successfully conducted the first live regional test of the system, transmitting a multilingual alert over existing DASDEC-II systems used by emergency management agencies in Arizona, Minnesota, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, and Wisconsin. 

Rise of the Machines

The Internet of Things (IoT) and machine-to-machine (M2M) connectivity continues to gain momentum, here and abroad. VT Neworks and SIGFOX announced their intention to connect over one million new devices on Ireland’s first IoT network by 2017 and accelerate the development of IoT applications in Ireland as well as spur further development by Irish device manufacturers. Ireland will be the twelfth country to join the SIGFOX network.  

With the astonishing variety of devices, components, and systems slated to eventually benefit from IoT connectivity, growing numbers of companies are looking for ways to optimize that connectivity. That’s why this month CEVA introduced new low power communication digital signal processors (DSPs) to address the multimode connectivity requirements of IoT and M2M. The DSP and IP platform provider announced two new power- and cost-optimized communication processors. The company claims the new DSPs are designed for low power wireless platforms used in applications such as wearalone wearables, smart grid, surveillance systems, asset tracking, remote monitoring systems, connected cars, and smart utilities.

IoT and M2M are seen as a driving force for the development of virtual network operators, especially for large enterprises with network-based operations. Anticipating the growing demand for private virtual networks, Netherlands-based software developer BroadForward has introduced proxy technology enabling enterprises to become private virtual network operators (PVNOs) on their own, bypassing long-term contracts with mobile network operators.

According to BroadForward, with the new PVNO model, enterprises that have large amounts of SIM cards installed across the country can become operators in their own right and escape the inflexibility and lock-in of MNO contracts. Operating as a PVNO, enterprises can switch to another network provider without the need to replace SIM cards. The company claims ownership of the SIM not only reduces costs, it also stimulates innovation of services. The first PVNO using this service is a Dutch utility company, serving millions of M2M devices, including smart meters, gateways and remote telemetry units.

The rapidly expanding demand for M2M connectivity is causing the commercial telematics market to grow at a healthy 18 percent CAGR over the next 5 years, according to a new report from Transparency Market Research. The market, worth almost $15 billion in 2013, is expected to grow to just over $46 billion by 2020, fueled by the insurance, logistics, and transportation industries that are embracing embedded OEM telematics in a big way.

The continued expansion of broadband and 4G LTE

The inextricable adoption of 4G LTE service continues, as the sale of smart devices explodes and the number of mobile subscribers signing up for enhanced services grows exponentially. According to a recent report from 4G Americas and OVUM, LTE connections increased 141 percent in 2Q15 over the same period last year, hitting nearly 755 million connections worldwide as of June and making LTE the fastest growing mobile broadband technology on record.