The Internet of Things will be first about security: Nokia

Nokia has developed a suite of compact network solutions for critical communications.

The public safety segment will drive early adoption for the Internet of Things (IoT), and there are large opportunities for advanced communications that will facilitate public safety and the IoT in the Asia Pacific region, says Nokia.

Zoltan Losteiner, Head of Sales Development, Asia Pacific and Japan at Nokia, explained that there is a perfect opportunity for new critical communications infrastructure, used to communicate during emergencies, to ride on LTE network technology instead of the radio networks traditionally used for first response. "There is a massive gap in the capability of current radio networks and what is being used by the people whose lives you are saving," he said.

According to Losteiner, it would cost 20% of outfitting an LTE network to add on critical communications capabilities, as opposed to spending a billion US dollars on building a separate network. An estimated million government and first-responders users might make use of the network for critical communications, but there is also the possibility secondary applications such as for mining, transport, and other smart city uses, he said.

The Ultra Compact Network.

In late May, Nokia launched the Ultra Compact Network, basically a 5kg network-in-a-backpack that significantly advances the potential for IoT and public safety use cases. Based on Nokia's Flexi Zone Small Cells technology, it provides secure indoor and outdoor 4G coverage wherever it is deployed with a range of 75 km for up to 400 active users, and can utilise cable, satellite or microwave technologies for backhaul to extend an operator's existing macro network.

The network can provide voice, video and data services in emergency situations, remote locations and events, and act as a hotspot for public safety organisations, industries and operators. According to the company, it can even be carried aloft by drone or hot-air balloon to provide connectivity for inaccessible areas. The Ultra Compact Network joins a suite of rapidly-deployable 4G solutions from Nokia that include aerial, vehicular, cell on wheels, system on wheels and stationary solutions.

Nokia is working with both developed and emerging markets to build awareness of the potential benefits of supporting the Internet of Things and public safety with advanced communications solutions. The company is in talks with Telstra and Vodafone New Zealand, SK Telecom in Korea, Telkomsel in Indonesia as examples, but is also bringing together vendors, operators, government and standards bodies to develop the wider ecosystem.

"We need to raise public awareness that the capabilities are there," said Losteiner. "The solutions are easily accessible. We need to get the government's go-ahead...the standardisation is lagging a bit behind. We need to get the community to drive awareness and make it happen."

posted from Bloggeroid