By Jason Sikes, AVP Device Architecture, AT&T
AT&T Labs makes industry-first 5G RedCap data connection in the U.S. paving the way for next generation 5G IoT devices
Internet of Things has been a buzz word for last decade. But what was once a mere concept is now part of our daily lives.
Think about smart security cameras and alarms, voice-activated sound systems, and other connected appliances at your home, or the smartwatch that you use at the gym. Then there are parking lots with sensors that alert you when a parking space has become available and smart ambulances that allow doctors to monitor and treat patients remotely until they reach the hospital.
AT&T is leading the way in bringing IoT to life. In 2022, we were the first U.S. provider to hit 100 million IoT connected devices. As of 2Q23, we have about 117 million connected devices.
But as we know, technologies are only as good as the connectivity that powers them. Two weeks ago, AT&T hit another US industry first: the first 5G Reduced Capability (RedCap) data call in both our lab and in the field on a live 5G Standalone network. This is critical for the continued growth of IoT.
IoT devices have evolved alongside the development of mobile communication technologies. Each generation has brought improvements in speed, capacity, and functionality, enabling new IoT applications and use cases. 4G was the first wireless cellular generation to introduce mobile network technology specifically designed for Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) IoT with LTE-M.
