In the UK, M2M-focussed vendor Neul announced that it has signed BT to test a pilot of its NeulNET network as a service play.
Neul has for some time said that it thinks TV Whitespace frequencies would be ideal for cost effectively carrying M2M traffic, with a much lower cost of rollout that building out a dedicated cellular wireless network or using expensive LTE spectrum that is better suited to consumer wireless services.
NeulNET NaaS has been built by Neul as a service offering that includes the management of base station nodes and terminals, authentication and security and service access and billing
Neul also provides a “Connected Device Platform” portal to NeulNET for network operators’ Enterprise customers, allowing them to view, manage and control their devices as a virtual private network.
BT is conducting initial technical assessments of the NeulNET system, a press release from Neul said.
“The Internet of Things market has huge potential, but existing short-range and cellular networking technologies are unable to meet the requirements of many applications we see. A networking technology that can provide deep indoor coverage, last for many years from a single battery, is simple to use, and comes at the right price point is essential for realizing the true potential of the IoT.
“The NeulNET solution promises to deliver on these requirements, and we’re excited to be trialing this over the coming months”, said Mark Harrop, Director of Mobile Strategy and Wireless Cities Programme Lead, BT Plc.
Neul said that NeulNet includes:
“NeulNET Connected Device Platform (CDP) which provides cloud-based services for managing service levels, authentication and billing together with device management.
NN2510 base station for network rollout.
NT1001 terminal modules incorporating Neul’s Iceni RF transceiver chip.”
Over in the USA, Carlson Wireless has different plans for TV Whitespace. It wants to use the technology to deliver rural broadband, using broadcast frequencies to deliver mobile broadband services to hard to reach areas for traditional cellular tech.
It has received FCC certification for the company’s RuralConnect TV white space (TVWS) radio system for use with the Spectrum Bridge TV white spaces database.
Carlson’s press release:
“This certification brings to market a long-distance, non-line-of-site (NLOS) fixed wireless broadband system.
“Designed using flexible software-defined architecture and dynamic spectrum sharing, RuralConnect is authorized to transmit over “white spaces” in the UHF TV band (470-698 MHz), the unused frequencies between licensed television broadcasters opened by the FCC in 2010 for unlicensed public use.”
“Carlson’s RuralConnect is our radio of choice for challenging rural deployments,” said Ken Garnett, CTO of Cal.net, a California wireless ISP which conducted one of the USA’s largest commercially feasible TVWS experimental trials in 2013. “By successfully penetrating dense forests and skirting terrain obstructions where no other wireless technology is adequate, RuralConnect allows us to dramatically increase the success rate of our installations.”
RuralConnect utilises cognitive radio technology in collaboration with spectrum sharing databases to provide high-speed connectivity worldwide. This FCC approval authorizes use with the Spectrum Bridge database in the U.S.
“Many parts of the country and world lack high-speed broadband access due to the limitations of traditional wireless network technology,” said Rod Dir, CEO of Spectrum Bridge. “Carlson has been one of the staunchest advocates for rural broadband deployment, and we are proud to partner with them as they pave the way in delivering solutions to this underserved market.”
