Nokia calls for global IoT standards to make proprietary ghettos history

Nokia Networks has claimed that the 3GPP standard for communication is not enough to release the full creative forces available for the Internet of Things (IoT) and called for an all-encompassing global framework.

In a bid to rid the industry of ‘silos’ and ghettos of proprietary and conflicting technologies it has unveiled a raft of initiatives.

The vendor recently announced support, along with Ericsson and Intel, for Narrow-Band Long-Term Evolution (NB-LTE) as an effective wireless connectivity solution for IoT. Other headline initiatives include a new AirFrame Data Centre, Mobile Edge Computing, a programme of partner selection, the creation of an IoT lab in Korea and an Open Innovation Challenge to encourage inventors to come up with ‘game changing’ ideas.

NB-LTE is being touted as a variant of 4G LTE technology that is specially adapted for the IoT with low set up costs, high ease of use and high power efficiency. “Cellular covers ninety per cent of the world’s population so it makes sense to use Narrow-Band LTE,” said Thomas Norén, VP of Ericsson’s Radio Business Unit. Intel is providing the NB-LTE chipsets for slim form factors.

Nokia first presented its cloud-based radio architecture, at Mobile World Congress, as it demonstrated how it could get the most value out of its Liquid Applications through the use of a virtual network function. This architecture could then be hosted on the AirFrame data centre and distributed within an operator’s network or even in specific hot-spot locations like stadiums and shopping malls.

In July Telecoms.com reported how Korean telco KT and Nokia Networks had started work on the first dedicated IoT lab.

“For future IoT systems, multiple applications from various vendors must work in concert, connected and integrated in the Cloud and at the network edge,” said analyst Brian Partridge, VP of the 451 Research Mobility team. But ‘breaking the cycle of proprietary silos’ won’t be easy, said Partridge.

“We are keen to see the IoT being developed for everyone,” said Kathrin Buvac, VP of Strategy at Nokia Networks, “there is no reason why these goals cannot be achieved simultaneously.”