Japanese telecommunications and system integration provider, KDDI has selected Sierra Wireless AirPrime HL78 cellular modules for LTE-M IoT applications. KDDI will be the world’s first MNO to provide its customers with HL78 modules operating on its LTE-M network, beginning in mid-2018 with one of the leading LP gas smart meter companies in Japan. The company expects more LTE-M IoT applications in diverse markets to follow, including logistics and wearables.
KDDI launched the first domestic cellular LTE-M telecommunication service in Japan. LP gas service providers using the new smart meters will be able to boost their operational efficiency while offering their customers value-added services. LTE-M networks deliver a new class of wireless technology specifically designed for low-power IoT applications combining lower cost, broader coverage and better battery life with globally available and secure cellular networks.
Sierra Wireless’ modules provide exceptional low-power performance, allowing smart gas meters to consume so little electricity that they will be able to perform two-way telecommunication for about 10 years on three 2,400mA industrial batteries. The extended coverage provided by LTE-M network will allow LP gas service providers to reach more of the Japanese market.
The HL78 modules, featuring Altair Semiconductor’s integrated ALT1250 chipset, deliver best-in-class power performance extending the life of battery operated devices by up to 10X compared to other available LTE-M/NB-IoT modules. This new level of power saving modes, with improved wake-up and sleep mode responsiveness, as well as ultra-low-power sleep mode, make HL78 modules the ideal choice for any power-constrained IoT application.
In addition to low-power performance unique to the HL78 design, the modules integrate GNSS tracking capability, security and an embedded SIM in a new compact CF3 size (18mm x15mm) that is pin-to-pin compatible with other HL Series modules. Customers have the flexibility to deploy the same device on global LTE-M and NB-IoT (Cat-NB1) networks, with support for more than 20 LTE frequency bands in addition to optional 2G fallback. Built-in security, including HTTPS, secure socket, secure boot and free unlimited firmware over-the-air (FOTA) updates from the AirVantage device management IoT Platform, helps customers ensure HL78 deployments are future proof and secure.
