The Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the most exciting evolutions the 5G world is watching unfold. AT&T and Microsoft are making great strides through collaboration to bring it to life.
AT&T and Microsoft are bringing a new integrated module of IoT to businesses through its collaborative effort, Azure Sphere. The project will enable devices to connect with one another through the cloud using LTE and without the need for a third-party WiFi signal. While this may not be as exciting as the prospect of using a 5G network, it is important to note that while the earlier stages of IoT are built out, devices will rely on both going forward to power their incredible functions.
Using hardware, an operating system (OS), software, and Azure cloud services from Microsoft, the new module will be focusing on usability and security in the immediate. The module can be used with equipment already in use by plugging it into devices such as machines via USB. Companies are using subscriptions from AT&T that work across a wide range of countries (200) and wireless carriers (500) and can even retrofit their equipment to connect without jumping through major hurdles.
These early stages will be critical for all parties. The security dangers that IoT faces are substantial and it makes perfect sense that it is the focus of Azure Sphere in the beginning. Hacking a computer or a home can have terrible results and in the corporate world it can cost untold amounts to recover data, access, and that is nothing compared to losing sensitive information to criminals. With corporate espionage a constant threat and the ability to sabotage equipment, IoT providers and vendors are constantly looking for ways to protect clients against attacks.
The capabilities that Azure Sphere is bringing to companies are just beginning but are already impressive. Fast food restaurants capable of fulfilling online orders and communicating with thousands of other devices to learn new recipes are just two of the examples IoT is bringing. Machinery working together with limited human interaction if any at all to create orders and even overcome mistakes, greater analytics through improved artificial intelligence (AI) and a larger amount of data points, and even overcoming technical issues are all on the table.
Though these devices rely on LTE today, 5G will enable more technical tasks where lower levels of latency will be needed to execute them. Security updates are planned through the next decade as technology evolves with no major hiccups expected, so updates take place with no issues. As 5G and Azure Sphere grow and their relationships with the cloud grow, expect to see both AT&T and Microsoft at the forefront of IoT innovations for years to come.
Source: Fixed Wireless