by Angela Guess
A new release out of the company states, “AT&T plans to pilot CAT-M1 network technologies later this year. They’ll help businesses cut costs and boost device performance for Internet of Things (IoT) deployments. We plan to pilot a Cat-M1 network in the San Francisco market starting in November. Cat-M1 can operate on the existing network footprint and flexibly co-exist with mobile broadband services in the same spectrum. Its design supports next-generation IoT devices such as wearables and utility meters.”
The release goes on, “Expected Cat-M1 benefits: Access to low-cost module technology; Extended battery life of 10 years or more for enabled IoT devices; Enhanced LTE coverage for underground and in-building areas that challenge existing coverage. Several key enterprise customers will take part in the pilot at the AT&T Labs in San Ramon, Calif. They represent a broad range of IoT uses – from alarm monitoring, smart meters, vending inventory and propane tank monitoring.”
Chris Penrose, senior vice president of AT&T Internet of Things Solutions, noted, “Cat-M1 is an advantage for the millions of IoT devices and services coming on the market. We expect this pilot will prove that. This next-generation technology will help businesses gather near real-time information on assets around the world. It will bring a connected world closer to reality… Following the trial we plan to make Cat-M1 available commercially in 2017.”
Photo credit: AT&T