OREANDA-NEWS. AT&T is working with Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) to deploy CAT-M and NB-IoT 3GPP standards-based technologies. This new software will support a new generation of Internet of Things (IoT) apps and improve device performance on the AT&T 4G LTE network.

Ericsson will deploy these advanced network technologies for AT&T to support the millions of IoT devices and services coming to market:

  • CAT-M technology supports next generation devices like wearable’s and utility meters.
  • Narrow-band IoT (NB-IoT) supports next generation devices like smoke detectors, pollution monitors and industrial/agricultural sensors.
  • Power-saving mode and Extended DRX extend battery life of enabled IoT devices, letting them communicate in the field for up to 10 years, or more.

AT&T and Ericsson are displaying these technologies at Mobile World Congress this week in Barcelona and expect to begin trials later this year.

“IoT solutions let businesses gather near real-time information on assets around the world,” said Chris Penrose, senior vice president, Internet of Things, 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.”

Global research and consulting organization Frost & Sullivan says 9 billion devices – excluding smartphones and tablets – are now connected to the Internet. That figure is expected to rise to between 20 billion and 50 billion by 2020. The economic impact forecast is from $4 trillion to $11 trillion by 2025.

Thomas Noren, Vice President, Head of Radio Product Management, Ericsson, says, “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. The software will utilize an extensive footprint of existing network infrastructure for the growth of IoT, allowing for fast rollout of reliable and highly secure IoT connectivity with low total cost of ownership. Our work with one of the world’s largest IoT providers, AT&T, will help address the full diversity of IoT use cases across their network.”

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) helps millions around the globe connect with leading entertainment, mobile, high speed Internet and voice services. We’re the world’s largest provider of pay TV. We have TV customers in the U.S. and 11 Latin American countries. We offer the best global coverage of any U.S. wireless provider*. And we help businesses worldwide serve their customers better with our mobility and highly secure cloud solutions.

About Ericsson

Ericsson is the driving force behind the Networked Society – a world leader in communications technology and services. Our long-term relationships with every major telecom operator in the world allow people, business and society to fulfill their potential and create a more sustainable future.

Our services, software and infrastructure – especially in mobility, broadband and the cloud – are enabling the telecom industry and other sectors to do better business, increase efficiency, improve the user experience and capture new opportunities.

With approximately 115,000 professionals and customers in 180 countries, we combine global scale with technology and services leadership. We support networks that connect more than 2.5 billion subscribers. Forty percent of the world’s mobile traffic is carried over Ericsson networks. And our investments in research and development ensure that our solutions – and our customers – stay in front.

Founded in 1876, Ericsson has its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden. Net sales in 2015 were SEK 246.9 billion (USD 29.4 billion). Ericsson is listed on NASDAQ OMX stock exchange in Stockholm and the NASDAQ in New York.