The world of IoT is growing rapidly, fueled by ever greater connectivity, cloud AI, and new use cases. As IoT devices proliferate the future of IoT promises greater integration with 5G networks, the rise of autonomous systems, and the development of smarter, more integrative solutions. Buzzwords and the latest technological innovations do sound fancy, but IoT expert Martin Whitlock suggests companies shift their focus more on to themselves and their needs.
As more and more companies are adapting internet of things solutions and technologies, Martin Whitlock, CTO of Telenor Connexion, has witnessed the most rapid rise in the volume of SIM card-based solutions in connected home solutions such as water pumps and meters.
“IoT has gone from a few to many in such a short time. The automotive industry has been one of the forces of IoT, both developing the technology, and using it in the industry itself. On the other hand, there are plenty of different areas where we haven’t yet grasped the true power of IoT, such as healthcare,” Whitlock states.
Telenor Connexion is the portfolio of IoT solutions from Telenor Group, of which DNA is also a part. The company is a world leading IoT connectivity provider helping organizations of all sizes connect and operate their devices – both locally and internationally.
AI and IoT complement each other
Artificial intelligence has been having the whole tech scene in a choke hold for a couple of years. It is no wonder since it has made data processing so much easier.
“AI and IoT complement each other: connected products generate huge amounts of data. But the data is useless if you can’t utilize it. Telenor Connexion has 20 million SIM cards around the world, and without the help of AI, it would be impossible to supervise them,” Whitlock says.
With the help of AI, it is also easier to spot anomalies and act accordingly. When discussing the security side of IoT, privacy always comes up. Also, privacy threats are not only on the devices but in the back end, where and how we store the data.
“Today, we are concerned about privacy, but in ten years, we will have new solutions, providers, and mindset that take us closer to being connected humans. What can hold the progress of the field of IoT back is restrictions and regulations, which also differ depending on where you are.”
Getting into IoT
“In the field of IoT, people and companies are currently exposed to hype around REDCap, 5G, and cloud AI. If you are thinking of implementing IoT solutions, it is important to keep an eye on the trends and latest tech but there is also so much to learn by observing your surroundings and what other companies are doing,” Whitlock says.
According to Whitlock, IoT provides endless possibilities across different fields from waste management to connected beer kegs.
“Companies should focus on what they can do right now instead of waiting for the latest technological advances. When starting the IoT journey, it is good to be ambitious but wise to start small. Find out how IoT solutions can support and transform your business. We already have great solutions where you can start,” Whitlock states.
According to Whitlock, one of the most common mistakes when deploying IoT is to underestimate the number of things you need to consider.
“To get a working solution you need to coordinate hardware, connectivity, logistics, changes in sales mechanisms – to name a few. A lot of unexpected aspects can appear, and it can be overwhelming. It is also important to keep in mind what your solution is and what kind of devices or connectivity you need: high-end 5G devices will be a waste in areas dominated by 2G connection. Finding a partner that can help you navigate regulations and offer support is crucial.”
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