Telecom network operator Orange has made investments in a new network to boost its Internet of Things (IoT) business.
Investment in IoT network is part of the Essentials2020 strategy of Orange. The telecom operator aims to generate 600 million euros revenue by 2018 from IoT business. According to IoT industry forecasts, there will be more than 25 billion objects connected in the world by 2020.
ABI Research recently said the total installed base of wireless-connected devices will reach 21.5 billion by the end of 2015.
On Thursday Verizon Communications CEO Lowell McAdam said the US telecom network operator sees significant opportunity for future growth in video and IoT, enabled by the company’s consistent investment and demonstrated leadership in wireless and broadband networks. Verizon will be also making investment in 5G wireless deployment that will boost IoT revenues.
Earlier, Orange relied on 2G 3G 4G networks for offering M2M communications.
The fresh investment in new Low Power Wide Area1 (LPWA) network, a narrow-band technology, will ensure connectivity at a reduced energy consumption rate and at a lower cost. Orange said LoRa (Long Range) technology will cover the whole of metropolitan France.
Orange said the IoT network based on LoRa technology will be useful for connecting sensors in Smart Cities. Orange is also working on the standardization of cell networks (2G/4G)2 for the IoT, which will be operational in 2017 and for 5G by 2022.
Stephane Richard, chief executive officer of Orange, said: “As a part of strategic plan Essentials2020, Orange has an ambition to become the number one operator for the Internet of Things.”
The IoT network, based on the technology LoRa, will gradually open from the first quarter of 2016. Orange has tested the LoRa technology by carrying out a large scale trial in Grenoble, involving more than 30 partners.
Beyond connectivity, Orange is involved in the distribution of connected objects, in the aggregation and data processing stemming from these objects as well as proposing value-added services in the field of health and well-being, the connected home and Smart Cities.
Baburajan K
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