Telefónica is working with Mavenir and Amazon Web Services (AWS) on a pre-commercial managed IoT connectivity service that the operator expects to offer using Mavenir’s packet core solution and AWS’s cloud infrastructure.
The objective is to “reinvent the way IoT connectivity services are delivered,” according to Telefónica. That means reducing the cost and latency by combining cloud technology with cellular connectivity to provide Telefónica customers with a “local shortcut” to the internet from the nearest AWS region.
The service is global, such that customers around the world can scale their use of the service as needed with global coverage. Telefónica did not say when it plans to go commercial with the service.
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Telefonica Tech’s IoT KITE platform provides an interface accessible from anywhere via the web or APIs, making it conducive for industrial, manufacturing, public and automotive sectors.
Telefonica says the use of the cloud enables advanced, new functionalities for end users that were not previously possible, such as local data processing/storage, direct connectivity to other cloud services, and global low latency.
Telefónica’s Core Innovation team is developing the service in collaboration with Telefónica Tech’s IoT & Big Data unit. The pre-commercial activities cover the deployment of the Mavenir Packet Core on AWS, integration with Telefónica Tech's KITE platform, and automation of the end-to-end service.
"Mavenir's Converged Packet core built upon web-scale technology and cloud native principles provides support for 4G functionalities and facilitates easy deployment on AWS, offering a compact and efficient model in terms of cost and resources," said Ashok Khuntia, EVP/GM, Packet Computing at Mavenir, in a statement. "We are excited to work with Telefónica to integrate our packet core solution with Telefonica's KITE platform over AWS."
The solution is applicable to LTE-M and Narrowband IoT. NB-IoT is the most appropriate for mass IoT users, such as sensors and telemetry, while LTE-M is preferable for uses that require mobility, according to the operator.
Telefónica also has eSIM cards aimed at telemetry, industry and smart cities use cases, which require long-term deployments potentially involving a change of operator.
"We’re delighted to collaborate with Telefónica and Mavenir to offer a cloud native integrated packet core solution to enhance IoT connectivity,” said Fabio Cerone, managing director Telecom EMEA at AWS, in a statement. “Together, we are providing a true cloud native network solution for Telefonica’s IoT customers that combines AWS’s global infrastructure with the strength of Telefónica’s network. Now, Telefónica can scale their deployments across the globe to meet the requirements of agility, scaling, slicing, and resiliency.”