A new agreement between Nordic Semiconductor and patent pool administrator Sisvel for the licensing of standard essential patents (SEPs) reading on LTE-M and NB-IoT cellular technology has been announced. The agreement creates a framework for easy and transparent access to the LTE-M and NB-IoT radio technology standards for a diverse range of IoT applications. Efficient and transparent access to end-product licenses from more than 30 patent owners enables massive adoption of cellular IoT devices.
Specifically, the initiative provides a simple, efficient way for IoT device makers to obtain end-product licenses from more than 30 patent owners holding LTE-M and NB-IoT SEPs, through Nordic as the cellular module supplier.
The agreement addresses the challenges posed by the diversity within the cellular IoT market, in which a multitude of companies - from startups to established corporations - are innovating. The wide range of significant initiatives being rolled out in areas such as smart-health, smart-energy, smart-cities and asset-tracking are currently at risk of stalling because of the lack of predictability and transparency in the access to and the cost of SEP licensing.
By offering standardized licenses the agreement will reduce business uncertainty and the possibility of litigation. This will allow companies to focus on what they do best - developing new, innovative products and services for the IoT market.
"Nordic Semiconductor has always been at the forefront of wireless technology and they understand the importance of accessible and standardized licensing for the advancement of the IoT industry," comments Øyvind Birkenes, Nordic’s EVP Long Range. "They believe that this solution is a significant step towards a more efficient future for cellular IoT development."
"They are thrilled to have a unique licensing program for cellular IoT backed by more than 30 patent owners and they believe this new agreement with Nordic addresses a critical need in the IoT ecosystem," says Sisvel CEO Mattia Fogliacco. "Their goal is to create a balanced and transparent licensing environment that supports innovation and growth for all stakeholders."
“They have worked hard with Sisvel and the SEP owners in its pool over the last year to broker this agreement because the IoT market urgently needs transparency and predictability,” says Kristian Sæther, Nordic’s Product Director – Cellular IoT. “Existing SEP licensing in the IoT space is up-in-the-air, putting countless SMEs across the globe developing wireless products in limbo. This new agreement offers efficiency and predictability to our customers. They look forward to seeing their peers and competitors recognize the importance of this work, and joining the pool solution, so that the entire cellular IoT market can operate with more predictability, and on a level playing field.”
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