AT&T, Ericsson Working To Make IoT Connections Faster

AT&T is working with Ericsson on new software that will support “a new generation” of IoT apps and improve device performance on AT&T’s 4G LTE network, AT&T said Monday. “IoT solutions let businesses gather near real-time information on assets around the world,” said Chris Penrose, senior vice president-IoT at AT&T Mobility. “Working with Ericsson and our existing LTE systems, AT&T will continue to enable a wide variety of next generation IoT devices on our LTE network.” Work is focusing on CAT-M technology supporting “next generation devices” such as wearables and utility meters, and narrow-band IoT technology that “supports next generation devices like smoke detectors, pollution monitors and industrial/agricultural sensors,” AT&T said. Other work focuses on improving battery life. “This new software will support a number of IoT devices and enable existing networks to work as the foundation for smart cities, utilities and other industries to build upon,” said Thomas Noren, head of radio product management at Ericsson.