Huawei and Gemalto to partner on NB-IoT modules

Digital security expert Gemalto is working with Huawei to develop affordable NB-IoT modules for the mass market.

There are arguably two main drivers of profitability for IoT manufacturers. The first is the cost of production. The second is the performance of their devices in terms of range and battery life. With those priorities in mind, the demand for NarrowBand IoT (NB-IoT) solutions is on the rise.

NB-IoT harnesses low power, wide area (LPWAN) network technology to enable new devices and services. The result is reduced device power consumption, increased system capacity and a battery life extending up to ten years.

Meeting demand for NB-IoT modules

Modules are the small electronic devices that IoT manufacturers embed into devices and machines so that they can connect to wireless networks, and send and receive data packets.

Applications for NB-IoT modules range across the spectrum of connected devices, from smart parking sensors to alarm systems, personal healthcare monitors and street lamps. According to ABI Research, NB-IoT modules integrating devices into networks are expected to account for 20 percent of all cellular shipments by 2021.

Gemalto and Huawei – via its semiconductor arm, HiSilicon – are working together to develop NB-IoT modules with a focus on security and low power consumption. These modules can be used in a range of IoT devices to reduce both size and production costs. The initiative will combine expertise from both companies in an effort to appeal to manufacturers meet the growing demand for NB-IoT enabled devices.

“2017 is the year of commercial NB-IoT rollouts for us, and we will be building 30 such networks in 20 countries worldwide by the end of the year. Huawei has been a major player in this arena, and we continue to capitalize on this vast opportunity,” said XiongWei, president of LTE solutions, Huawei.

“We look to supply the market with solutions that provide stable connectivity, low energy consumption, and cost efficiency. The network roll-out will now come with an enhanced integration and flexibility thanks to this collaboration with Gemalto.”

Simplifying NB-IoT implementation

Aside from power consumption and reduced manufacturing costs, the Huawei-Gemalto partnership promises to simplify mass adoption of NB-IoT technology.

“The combination of our expertise in IoT cellular connectivity and digital security, and Huawei’s high-performance NB IoT chipsets will help device manufacturers and service providers take the plunge into cellular IoT mass deployment thanks to a standardized solution,” said Suzanne Tong-Li, Gemalto’s senior vice president in greater China and Korea for mobile services and IoT and president of the company’s Chinese operations.

“Our collaboration simplifies the implementation of NB IoT projects combining solid security and flexibility.”