Sierra Wireless is now testing its next-generation Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) modules, expected to be certified and available for T-Mobile’s Narrowband IoT network by early 2018. T-Mobile expects to light up the first nationwide NB-IoT network in mid-2018.
With the commercialization of standardized Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) technologies, including NB-IoT, cellular is the globally preferred standard and superior option for many IoT applications that were previously restricted to short-range wireless technologies due to cost and battery life. LPWA technologies combine lower cost, broader coverage and better battery life with globally available and secure cellular networks and will connect millions more things to the Internet.
Sierra Wireless’ AirPrime WP77 smart wireless modules, the industry’s first global, dual-mode LPWA cellular modules, are part of T-Mobile’s certification process for NB-IoT. The WP77 provides a dedicated application CPU core running the Linux-based open source Legato application framework with an integrated GNSS receiver to enable tracking and location-based services. The modules are integrated with AirVantage cloud, providing customers with a proven device-to-cloud architecture to design innovative LPWA solutions that extend the IoT into new markets.
The WP series dramatically simplifies development for customers building secure telematics and gateway applications. The low-power modes and a comprehensive set of interfaces for connecting sensors and companion chips, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, are ideal for developing multi-service platforms requiring wide area coverage and optimized power performance. Fully compliant with the 3GPP Release 13 standard, WP77 modules are sampling with lead customers, with general availability to begin in early 2018.
