The automotive industry is one of the biggest manufacturing industries in the world. In order to meet consumer demand as well as stay ahead of the competition, automakers and other stakeholders in the wider automotive industry are utilizing IoT technologies to facilitate everything from improved efficiency and advanced vehicle management capabilities to offering a superior driving experience. And that’s just for the cars themselves. When it comes to the wider ecosystem, IoT is enabling things like smart manufacturing and add-on services.

IoT has already revolutionized any number of industries, and the automotive sector is no different. IoT is propelling the automotive industry into unprecedented innovation and transformation, with the benefits far-reaching. From enhancing vehicle connectivity and improved safety and security to value added systems and the impact on the larger automotive ecosystem, IoT solutions are unlocking the full potential of connected vehicles, smart manufacturing, and fleet management. To use a well-worn pun, the road ahead is full of exciting developments that promise to shape the future of transportation.

With IoT technology, the way we design, manufacture, operate, and interact with our vehicles has already transformed in significant ways.

What is automotive IoT?

Automotive IoT is the integration of devices and sensors into vehicles, creating a system for connected cars, which in turn enables things like predictive maintenance, fleet management, OEMs, and insurance.

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Connected cars simplify life for both drivers and manufacturers, particularly when it comes to software upgrades.

Vehicles are increasingly complex and previously, the only way to update cars was to return them to the dealer, something that was inconvenient for the consumer and costly for the manufacturer. IoT connectivity allows manufacturers to update a car’s many software-reliant components over-the-air, including many of the vehicles electronic control units.

Additionally, evolving technology allows manufacturers to address new liabilities, deploying fixes remotely rather than dealing with issues on a case-by-case basis. When a new vulnerability is identified, IoT connect onboard software allows manufacturers to immediately address that vulnerability quickly and remotely.

And as embedded automotive IoT solutions continue to evolve, more complex innovations will make their debut. The continual advancements in both the speed of mobile communications and the technology inside vehicles will allow automotive manufacturers to offer even more new services as we go forward.

Benefits of automotive IoT

The IoT brings benefits to both the automotive manufacturer and the consumer include:

  • Optimized manufacturing

IoT technology enables a high level of automation and predictive maintenance during the manufacturing process, eliminating or significantly reducing the likelihood of human error. After sale, manufacturers can draw on IoT-generated data to know when servicing is required and alert the customer about this. Manufacturers can also gain a competitive advantage by leveraging IoT data to tailor future vehicle design based on customer needs.

  • Enhanced safety

Connected vehicles can contribute to greater road, driver, and pedestrian safety by utilizing real-time analysis of data from multiple sensors. With IoT, drivers are always aware of the condition of their car and thus can avoid roadside breakdowns or malfunction-related accidents. Additionally, the car’s system can alert drivers to pedestrians, cyclists, or other potential hazards and even initiate emergency braking.

  • Personalization

Connected cars can offer a more customized experience to consumers through personalized in-vehicle infotainment systems, connecting with smart home systems, and even car settings such as music choice, seat position, and optimal temperature.

  • Cost savings

IoT-connected cars save money for both consumers and manufacturers. Predictive maintenance isn’t just for the factory – IoT data can alert drivers to when their vehicle needs service, as well as any unexpected faults or problems. Additionally, connected vehicles increasingly reduce insurance premiums, which we’ll discuss next.

  • Reduced insurance premiums

The evolution of telematics makes it possible for insurance companies to offer more personalized policies. By using real-time driving data, insurance companies can now price their policies more accurately, moving away from a pricing model that largely relied on general demographic information.

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By sharing driving data on things like acceleration, braking, turns, and peak activity time consumers can get discounts and rewards based on safe driving habits.

Sharing that data also allows consumers to better understand which factors contribute to their insurance costs.

  • Reduced emissions

Optimizing the car manufacturing process with IoT is one way the automotive industry can help reduce emissions and air pollution. When it comes to the vehicles themselves, connected cars can leverage data to optimize fuel consumption and energy usage levels, as well as reduce traffic congestion by allowing drivers to maintain optimal speed without unnecessary acceleration or stops.

  • Road and traffic management

Leveraging data from IoT-enabled cars to detect congestion, road conditions, or even air quality allows cities to adjust and/or improve thinks like traffic light timings, road surfaces, and pathways, which ultimately leads to better urban infrastructure.

If you would like to learn more about how IoT can enable your automotive solution, please get in touch

eCall is a European Union (EU) emergency call system for vehicles that aims to bring rapid assistance to motorists involved in a collision anywhere in the EU. eCall is designed to enhance protection and safety while reducing fatalities caused by road accidents, as well as related injuries, and property loss. The EU implemented the mandated deployment of eCall for new cars and light trucks 31 March 2018.

Why eCall?

All around the world, roads are shared by vehicles of all kinds, yet traffic accidents remain a leading cause of death. Each year, 1.35 million people are killed on roadways globally, with crash injuries estimated to be the 8th leading cause of death globally for all age groups. And the annual cost to society in monetary terms is in the billions.

While governments around the world have launched any number of road safety initiatives to reduce accidents, they’ve mostly focused on enhancing and improving road infrastructure. To provide a critical service that can save lives, the EU has taken a new approach with its pioneering eCall, which is an example of the connected car concept, leveraging IoT technology, real-time data transmission, and enhanced safety features.

How eCall works

In the event of an accident, eCall technology makes an immediate emergency notification via activation of in-vehicle sensors, or manually by vehicle occupants. When activated, eCall provides relevant location information to European Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) by means of mobile wireless communication networks. As all European PSAPs are equipped to receive eCall, it is expected that many existing vehicles will be retrofitted with after-market eCall devices.

  1. Emergency notification: eCall is automatically activated when a vehicle’s sensors detect a severe crash, autonomously dialing 112, the European emergency number.
  2. Location: Connectivity enables positioning, establishing a telephone link with the relevant call canter, with details of the accident, including position, sent.
  3. PSAO operators dispatch appropriate assistance.
  4. Faster help: eCall can increase response time by 40% in urban areas, and 50% in rural areas, reducing the number of fatalities by a minimum of 4%, and the number of severe injuries by 6%.

Connectivity & IoT technology

While eCall devices normally have a separate SIM and rely on voice, there is no support for VoLTE, which may make them vulnerable to the sunsetting of 2G/3G networks. This is due current eCall deployments based on standards from 15-years ago. Work on next generation eCall is currently underway, and an upgrade mandate is expected to be launched as many European telecom operators sunset their GSM networks.

OEMs are recommended to equip their vehicles with a multi-network generation TCU (Telematics Control Unit), while PSAPs should include next generation eCall over LTE in their plans for receiving emergency calls via IPT networks.

Next generation eCall is an evolution of the existing eCall service, based on IMS (IP Multimedia Core Network Subsystem) using 4G/5G technology. While there is not yet an EU-level decision on implementation of next generation eCall, the European Commission (EC) is preparing regulatory amendments for the transition of emergency communications, including eCall, to packet-switched IMS-based networks. In accordance with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/444, member states are required to prepare a roadmap for the upgrade. Under current proposals from the EC, PSAPs are required to support next generation eCall from 1 January 2026.

Note that eCall does not allow vehicle tracking outside of emergencies, meaning that end-user data and privacy is protected. The eCall device is dormant and is only activated when vehicle sensors react to a severe crash. Directive 95/46/EC states that vehicles with 112-based eCall systems must be protected against continuous tracking and tracing during normal operations/day-to-day travel. In order to meet regulations, digital security technology is embedded into eCall equipment to prevent misuse and protect privacy.

The European Union expects 100% penetration of eCall to be achieved by 2035, with the number of road deaths and serious injuries reduced by 50% between 2020 and 2030.

If you would like to learn more about how IoT can enable your business, please get in touch. 

Today’s electric vehicle (EV) charging experience can be frustrating. The first hurdle is finding a working, available charging station. Next comes waiting in or by the vehicle for 30 minutes or so, which can feel like a waste of time. The annoying charging experience is one reason why as many as one in five drivers trade in their EVs for gas-powered vehicles.[1]

Charge point operators (CPOs) that deliver a better experience stand to gain a competitive edge in a market poised for spectacular growth. The 500,000 public EV chargers installed in 2021 brought the worldwide total to nearly 1.8 million.[2] They are not enough. To keep up with demand, Europe will need 9 million public chargers by 2035, a 400% increase over the 340,000 public chargers available in 2022.[3] Investors are listening: analysts estimate cumulative global investments in charging to exceed $360 billion by 2030 and $1 trillion by 2040.[4]

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“EV charging infrastructure is a trillion dollar market opportunity over the next 20 years, but the pace of installations needs to accelerate rapidly.”

BloombergNEF, 2022

Growth and profitability hinge on smart cellular connectivity management

Imagine a great charging experience. It starts with working chargers. Dependable authentication, usage metering, and payment. A mobile app that shows charger location, real-time availability, and even dynamic pricing. SMS alerts on charging status (e.g., charging, 80% charged, 10 minutes remaining, charging complete) while the customer enjoys a coffee next door.

EV charging stations of the future will transform the 30-minute ho-hum charging experience into something drivers actually enjoy.[1] Equipped with cellular Wi-Fi routers, the charging station can provide a Wi-Fi hotspot for customers to work or watch the news from their car. Interactive displays to learn about local attractions—a source of advertising revenues for the station operator. A service to update the vehicle’s software while it charges.

Underpinning all of these customer experiences—today’s and tomorrow’s—is a reliable, secure network. Cellular networks are often more practical than wired networks for charging stations. They avoid the expense of wiring. They reach virtually everywhere, including highway service areas. Connecting a new charger to the cellular network can be as simple as inserting a SIM card. And many locations are served by multiple cellular networks, providing resilience if one network has an issue.

Challenges of cellular connectivity management

The ease of managing cellular network connectivity affects both the customer experience and profitability. Must-haves include:

• Service reliability. Out-of-service chargers or payment systems take a bite out of revenue. They also irritate customers who planned their trips around charging.

• Automated onboarding of new chargers. Individually provisioning large groups of chargers is time-consuming and error-prone, slowing down deployment.

• Automated rate-plan management. Assigning the right rate plans to hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands of chargers—and then managing them—is an arduous task. Getting it wrong can lead to data overage charges that wreak havoc on projected profit margins.

• Insights into usage trends. Manually exporting cellular usage data to other enterprise applications is a tedious, time-consuming process and can postpone insights.

• Security. Unlike enterprise servers, EV chargers are out in the open, making it easier for bad actors to steal SIMs. Without a way to immediately detect and deactivate stolen SIMs, CPOs are on the hook for data charges until the theft is discovered, possibly weeks later.

• Single management platform across regions. For CPOs using multiple mobile network operators, integrating their management platforms is costly and cumbersome.

Scale faster, operate smarter, and secure better with Cisco IoT Control Center connectivity management platform. Unlike other platforms that simply connect your EV chargers to the cellular network, Cisco IoT Control Center helps you scale quickly and increase profitability by reducing costs and automating more of your business. Whether you’re just starting out  or already operate thousands (or tens of thousands) of chargers, Cisco IoT Control Center accelerates your IoT journey from deploying your first chargers to operating at scale.

Scale faster

Managing cellular IoT at large scale can be overwhelming. Cisco IoT Control Center makes it as simple to onboard and manage 10,000 chargers as 10.

Accelerate time to market. Quickly and accurately connect, provision, and deploy chargers in bulk. Reduce hours or days of work to just minutes with sophisticated rules-based automation using a simple, intuitive interface.

Simplify expansion. Expanding to other regions served by our global network of roaming partners? With Cisco IoT Control Center, you save the time and costs of integrating multiple CMPs and training your team to use them. Even if some of your charging stations are outside our service area, you likely won’t need to learn another CMP. More than 50 service providers around the world use Cisco IoT Control Center.

Drive innovation. Gain data-driven insights about expansion or targeted advertising with analytics on individual charging stations’ data usage. Cisco IoT Control Center is continually enhanced with emerging technologies like AI/ML-based analytics for threat detection and new 5G technologies for services like entertainment, advertising, and in-car services.

Operate smarter

Deliver better customer experiences and increase profitability with near-real-time visibility, control, and rate-plan optimization based on AI/ML-based analytics.

Increase service reliability. Receive real-time alerts if a charger hasn’t connected for a specified time period, starts sending unusual amounts of data, begins roaming, or otherwise behaves oddly. Quickly identify and resolve problems using sophisticated diagnostics and analysis tools, improving the customer experience and protecting revenue. Quickly rule out or resolve cellular connectivity issues before dispatching a technician.

Deliver great customer experiences. Keep tabs on thousands of charging stations from one interface to make sure they’re operating and sharing their location and status with your mobile app. Confirm that payment systems are working. With Cisco IoT Control Center you can also offer dynamic pricing based on time of day and other variables. Customers who have the flexibility to charge at different times of day or in less popular locations appreciate the cost savings.

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We have so much more insight and control over our units now than we did before. Cisco IoT Control Center has paid for itself, tenfold.

Project Lead, Metering, Regional Utility Company

Avoid data overage charges. Use Cisco IoT Control Center to automatically optimize rate plans using AI/ML-based analytics. Be confident that you’re getting the best pricing based on current data usage. Automate workflows to save time and lower costs. Reduce operational costs with sophisticated process automation. We provide more than 100 APIs you can use to integrate cellular-connectivity data with your other business applications, avoiding the time and resources needed to manually import data. For example, integrate with your support ticketing system to automatically create a ticket whenever a charger goes offline. Integrate with your analytics application to understand usage trends. Seeing when and where usage peaks or dips can help you plan expansion, optimize operations, and measure the effectiveness of ad campaigns.

Secure better

Built by Cisco, a global leader in security, IoT Control Center gives you multilayer, enterprise-grade security and helps you respond quickly to suspicious device behavior.

Prevent unauthorized access. Protect your customer data and backend systems with multifactor authentication and role-based access controls.

Prevent SIMs from being used in another device. With a few clicks you can set a rule to automatically deactivate a SIM inserted into a new device and notify the appropriate people in your organization.

Speed response. Quickly identify potentially compromised chargers with real-time device monitoring and advanced analytics. Cisco IoT Control Center automatically initiates the right actions when devices exhibit unusual data and connectivity behavior.

Whether you’re a CPO, auto company, energy company, department of transportation,or another government entity, Cisco IoT Control Center can help you scale faster, operate smarter, and protect better.

Learn more about Cisco IoT Control Center (2CONTROL) here.

1 Electric Car Owners Switching to Gas Because Charging Hassle, Business Insider, July 28, 2021
2 Electric Vehicle Outlook 2022, BloombergNEF
3 Power Sector Accelerating e-Mobility, EY and eurelectric, 2022
4 Electric Vehicle Outlook 2022, BloombergNEF

Ever since electric vehicles (EVs) started to become a viable transport alternative, the phrase ‘range anxiety’ has been tossed about, with most pundits citing the fear of not being able to reach your destination without running out of power as a barrier to EV adoption. Even today, range anxiety is still mentioned as one of the top reasons why people are reticent about transitioning to electric vehicles. The funny thing is, though, that almost as soon as this phrase became part of the conversation, it became a myth. And some would argue that range anxiety was never a thing in the first place. So, let’s look at expectations and why ‘range anxiety’ doesn’t match with reality.

In 2011, when the first major EV was released to the market (the Nissan LEAF for those interested) you would get maybe 160km out of a full battery charge. And for some, that would be enough to make you nervous about running out of power, especially when the network of charging stations back then was minimal.

By 2015, though, the average EV had a range of around 200km, while today it hovers around 350km – a number that is expected to rise to around 400km in the not-too-distant future. And the charging station network? It has grown by leap and bounds. In the UK, there were 37,261 EV charge points spread across 22,049 charging locations by the end of December 2022 – a 31% increase from the previous year. In the EU,there were roughly 375,000 charging stations by the end of 2021, with that number expected to increase rapidly in the coming years.

Expectations vs reality

Those who cite range anxiety might have visions of being stranded on some roadside with no charging station in sight – and no ability to ‘fill up a gas canister’ for an emergency top up. But how far do people drive and where are they going?

If we look at the numbers, a study conducted on more than 600 000 vehicles across Europe showed that 8 in ten drivers travel less than 100km a day. That same study finds that 6 in ten drivers travel less than 50km a day. To break it down even further, in the UK, the average trip length is 8.4km, while globally, the average daily car journey is around 15 minutes or about 15km. In Europe, internal combustion engine (ICE) drivers average just 13,600km per year, while EV drivers are clocking up averages of 14,200km annually. In the US, 95% of car journeys are under 48km, with 60% less than 9km.

So, what does this tell us? That most of our time behind the wheel is spent on short, stop-start journeys – but even if those trips are longer, range anxiety really isn’t a realistic factor.

Here are a few individual EV model ranges to give you an idea of scope. Range, of course, varies due to things like weather and payload, along with factors such as city, highway, or rural driving. This means Real Range is an industry calculated average – and it’s important to note that the median range for EVs has increased by 56% in the last 6 years or so.

As you can see, the range numbers vary a great deal and this has to do with battery size, but even on the lower end you aren’t likely to run out of juice mid-trip. Most people charge their EVs at home, usually overnight, and while this has previously presented a challenge to those living in apartments, this too is changing as public charging stations rapidly grow in numbers, along with landlords installing charging stations in parking areas.  And while the number of EV charging stations does not yet match the number of gas stations, the rapid EV adoption we are currently experiencing means that will change very quickly.

Here in the Nordics, three in four new cars sold are EVs, and there are about five EVs on the road for every public charging point – people don’t all charge at once and many of us will be charging at home, so the fear of not being able to top up or having to wait in a ‘first come/first serve’ model is no longer really an issue. There are also myriad new solutions coming to market, including in-transit charging points and mobile charging stations.

And then there is the very basic fact that nearly all car manufacturers are investing in EVs and committing being part of the EV ecosystem expansion. VW alone has committed to installing nearly 3 000 new charging stations in the US, while a European high-power charging networs has committed €700 million in investment to enable rapid EV charging network expansion and accelerated growth across Europe. And there are new governmental schemes and investment being announced all the time, both on the local and national levels. In fact, the European Union has decided that the sale of new internal combustion engines will be banned by 2035, and all new cars will be battery-electric, meaning the automotive industry will play a big role in the battle for carbon neutrality by 2050.

To learn more about EVs and the ecosystem around them, download our EV Ecosystem White Paper.

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We need to be online 24/7 in order to operate efficiently and effectively. That’s why having reliable connectivity is so important.
Tele2 IoT was competitively priced and flexible – basically it was a very smooth process for us

Kristian Sandahl CEO & Founder ChargeNode

Learn more about the EV Ecosystem

Before we get to how IoT enables the EV ecosystem, let’s take a quick look at the background: all across the world, the electrification of road vehicles is growing quickly. In fact, for the first time ever, more than half of car buyers say their next purchase will be an electric or hybrid model. This shift is driven by a number of things, including environmental concerns and low maintenance and operation costs, along with government subsidies and regulatory support. What this means is that there will be an estimated 140 million electric vehicles (EVs) in use by 2030. The European Union (EU) alone has more than 330 thousand publicly accessible charging point and that number is growing, but deployment is uneven.

So, how are we going to charge all those cars? EV owners want and need the same autonomy, range, and ease of refueling as they have gotten with traditional fuel-injected cars, which means we must do more than just install more charging points. What we need to do is develop a robust EV charging infrastructure.

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By connecting the entire EV ecosystem, finding charging stations will become easy, payment systems will be simplified, and a variety of value-added services will become available.

Connectivity is a crucial component to the evolving EV ecosystem and IoT offers huge benefits to all stakeholders across the value chain, including EV drivers, Charge Point Operators (CPOs), and network operators.  In order to connect, maintain, and manage the different parts of the EV ecosystem (charge points, payment systems, locators, maintenance, etc.) there is a strong need for resilient and secure two-way connectivity and not just in locations where wired infrastructure isn’t always readily or easily available.

But there are challenges in developing the EV ecosystem, including infrastructure management, addressing customer experience, profitability, maintenance, monitoring, energy management, and ultimately, how to create a universal ecosystem that works for everyone. IoT will play a crucial role in bringing it all together.

Managing charging stations

Charging stations are geographically dispersed, making it challenging and expensive to manage ‘onsite’. IoT enables CPOs to remotely monitor and manage operations and quickly resolve issues by presenting real-time insights into usage and device performance, including charger availability, fault monitoring, and troubleshooting – all of which help enormously when it comes to predictive maintenance and reducing downtime. Additionally, as charging station buildouts increase, data on existing deployments will help operators more accurately plan locations for new stations. Data can also be used to optimize charger utilization, identify areas for improvement, and track trends over time.

Charger availability

EV charging apps can search for nearby stations, check availability, and reserve a slot at the time required, based on battery capacity. Apps can also indicate charging rates or advise on off-peak hours for lower-cost charging.

Smart charging

Even at the best of times, energy rates vary throughout the year. Additionally, as EVs become increasingly prevalent, it’s crucial to be able to track charging stations in order to decrease grid load, because if a lot of people are charging their EV at the same time, this can put strain on the grid. By tracking and monitoring charging stations with IoT, you gain insights into how they are being used and how much power is being dawn, information which can be used to regulate the flow of power, so the grid isn’t overloaded. Overall, IoT allows us to manage the increasing demand for EVs while also keeping the grid stable.

Reducing downtime

Without reliable connectivity, sensors at charging points will not be able to communicate with the network, which means EV drivers will be left frustrated and the CPO’s credibility will be damaged. Basically, for IoT devices to function, there needs to be network availability and a stable, always-on connection. Cellular technology is the preferred choice, due to its presence in places where EV charging points would likely be installed, such as schools, parking lots, hospitals, office parking garages, etc. Downtime or poor connectivity can cost brands both revenue and reputation.

Security

IoT-enabled EV stations must do more than facilitate smooth energy exchange between EVs and the grid, or even information between customers and the charging point. Security must also be considered, because as the number of EVs grow and the EV ecosystem expands, the attack surface is also growing. Look at it this way: if a hacker is able to disable all EV chargers connected to the same network, it would be the equivalent to a gas shortage. Security is also crucial for the privacy of customers, such as their banking details. The advantage of cellular IoT connectivity is its built-in security measures that protect data and sensitive information, offering reliable and secure coverage, no matter the location.

Learn more about the EV Ecosystem

2G and 3G networks have been around for decades and billions of IoT devices have relied on them for their connectivity. Both generations have enabled an affordable way to keep devices connected almost anywhere in the world, whether those devices are static or on the go. But now it is time for modernization and upgrades, and with only so much bandwidth to go, with 4G already established, the rollout of 5G underway, and IoT-specific technologies such as LTE-M now available, 2G and 3G will be retired and replaced.

Decommissioning of 2G and 3G has already been initiated and/or completed in some parts of the world, including in Canada and Australia, with the US to be next. Other countries and regions have a wide range of sunsetting dates, with most of Europe looking at the end of 2025, although that is not a unilateral date for all countries. Switzerland will likely be the first European country to completely close 2G, which is estimated to happen at the end of 2023. The bottom line is that 2G and 3G will eventually be retired everywhere, so this is an issue that cannot be avoided.

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Tele2 Sweden already began phasing out 3G during 2021 and initially it will only be in places with good 2G and 4G coverage. Over time the phasing out will increase in speed and completely retire in 2025.

The 2G closure is similar for all large operators in Sweden since the license for the 2G frequency ends in December 2025. Tele2 will use this opportunity to futureproof the network for all of our customers.

Tele2 IoT is here to assist you in not just understanding when and where decommissioning will happen, but also to understand how these changes will impact your deployment and what steps you need to take to deal with the coming changes – because the last thing you want is to still be using 2G and 3G networks when a carrier you rely on shuts that network down and your deployment is not ready for the next generations.

It is important to be proactive, not reactive, and most of all, to be prepared. It is essential to take inventory of every device deployed and assess which deployments and customers will need to make a transition. Tele2 IoT has the tools to help you identify where changes need to be made and our team is ready to assist you in assessing which technology you should move to, as well as address other challenges, such as if your hardware will be compatible.

The Tele2 IoT Team is committed to supporting and guiding our customers as we go through this technological shift. We are able to provide you with information on sunsetting dates for specific regions and countries as it is available so that your solution is not interrupted or otherwise impacted. There are plenty of excellent options available to replace 2G and 3G and we are happy to help you decide which best suits your particular needs.

Please get in touch, so that we can help you successfully navigate the changes ahead.

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Learn more about Tele2 IoT connectivity solutions

eUICC for global connectivity

Since the start of cellular IoT, when it was still referred to as M2M, IoT devices relying on cellular networks for connectivity have used traditional “UICC” SIM Cards (Universal Integrated Circuit Card). UICC SIMs are “static”, meaning that after manufacturing there is no way to replace the operator on the SIM. In the recent years however, technology advances have brought us the next generation of SIM Cards, namely the eUICC SIM (Embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card).

With eUICC, it’s no longer ‘put the SIM card in the device, and what it is at deployment is what you get for the rest of the devices lifetime’ – eUICC SIMs takes things to the next level: you can download profiles, change operator, or even have multiple operators on the same SIM, something that isn’t possible with traditional UICC SIMs.

The main benefits of eUICC SIMs include:

  • Simplicity: you only need one SKU to manage global deployments
  • Flexibility: through the ability to change the active operator throughout your device’s lifecycle.
  • Resilience: against changes in roaming regulations, such as the introduction permanent roaming
  • Future proofing: through access to both existing and future Tele2 eUICC based services

eUICC is a functional concept for remotely managing SIM profiles, bringing benefits to both the IoT device and the entire deployment. At its very core, eUICC is a software component running on a specific type of SIM hardware that allows you to store multiple operator profiles and switch between them remotely. The physical SIM contains a profile for initial connectivity and is placed in the devices before deployment. Additional profiles can then be downloaded and managed remotely throughout the device’s life cycle. This means that you can change your operator or service provider without having to physically change out your SIM cards, something that can be both costly and logistically challenging, particularly for enterprises who have large-scale, global IoT deployments, as well as those who have deployed hard-to-reach devices. Additionally, eUICC SIMs are available in all standard form factors, meaning that switching to eUICC-enabled SIM cards is possible without the need to completely change your device.

A single SIM for multiple global deployments

Previously, when deploying IoT with traditional UICC SIMs, you needed to understand where your devices would end up in the world so you could install SIM cards with the carrier profile needed to operate in those regions. This could cause complications in your supply chain because managing different SIM with different operators add significant complexity to your manufacturing and logistic process. With eUICC, once your devices are out in the field, remote provisioning allows you to set them up with the carrier profiles best suited to serve your connectivity needs. So, instead of having multiple different SIM cards in the same device in order to, for example, facilitate optimal roaming in different markets, eUICC means you need just one SIM that enables you to activate the optimal profile for the country you’re in even after deployment.

If you would like to learn more about eUICC and how Tele2 IoT can help enable your business, please get in touch.

Learn more about cellular connectivity solutions

IoT and digitalization continue to impact nearly every industry and retail is no different. While retailers have been working with RFID for quite a long time, new and improved IoT technologies are giving retailers the opportunity to improve operations and enhance customer experience, whether that’s in your brick-and-mortar operation or your e-commerce side of things. From reducing inventory error and optimizing supply chains to decreasing labor costs and reducing theft, IoT can benefit both customer and business owner in myriad ways. 

Here are seven ways IoT is enabling and enhancing retail:

In-store data collection

Smart sensors allow retailers to track foot traffic and shopping behavior, which offers a number of benefits. First, understanding traffic flows allows businesses to evolve store layouts and stock placement to data-driven merchandising, as well as pairing products and placing them where they can easily be found by the customer.  Brands also have the opportunity to identify traffic hotspots, allowing them to strategically place promotional material or advertising in spaces where shoppers frequent, creating more awareness with less effort.

Automated checkout

Let’s face it: no one likes to stand in long lines waiting to pay. Long lines not only lead to lost customers in the moment, they can also deter customers from returning to your store. That said, adding more staff to handle the problem isn’t always the optimal solution. While self-checkout has helped ease the problem to an extent, IoT-enabled checkout systems are the real game-changer. An automated checkout system reads tags on each item a customer has put in their basket as they leave the store. So, instead of checking out at the counter with an employee or going through a self-checkout line, the automated checkout system takes note of the items and deducts the cost from the customer’s mobile payment app. The result is quicker purchases, happier customers, and reduced costs for the retailer.

Smart shelves

Inventory management is a time-consuming task, but a vital one in order to make sure that items are not out of stock, misplaced, or stolen. Smart shelves help you track inventory and get an alert whenever stock levels are funning low or when an item is misplaced/placed on a shelf incorrectly. IoT sensors allow you to gather information and data on each product, which not only helps you monitor stock levels, but also detect in-store theft.

Personalized discounts

Loyalty programs and discounts are an ideal way to show appreciation for returning customers while also ensuring their loyalty. IoT sensors placed around a store can distribute loyal discounts to loyalty program members via their smartphones when they stand near discounted products. Additionally, IoT can track items that a customer has been looking at online, sending them a personalized discount when they visit the store. So, instead of offering general discounts on numerous random products, each discount can be tailored to individual customers, maximizing conversion rates.

Optimized store layout

Planning store layout can be tricky, but through the use of IoT data and analytics, a store’s layout can be optimized not just for the retailer, but for the customers too. This not only enhances customer experience, it also increases profitability. Deploying sensors across aisles can help retailers place products in relation to customer behavior, including placing the least in demand products front and center and the most popular ones further to the back. The data gathered also provides insights into customer behavior and shopping preferences.

Food safety monitoring

Food and beverage retailers know that efficient operations are crucial when it comes to offering their customers products that are fit for consumption. Establishing and maintaining an efficient operation, though, can be challenging and one impacted by any number of factors. Anything from an electrical outage to staff error can lead to stock contamination, spoilage, and loss – costing you money. IoT sensors can prevent loss and mitigate human error by monitoring perishable goods in real team. They can automatically log temperatures in prep areas, fridges, freezers, and other equipment, setting thresholds for each sensor and receiving an alert any time a threshold is breached. This helps protect inventory by ensuring food storage areas remain temperature compliant.

Supply chain optimization

Managing customer expectations is crucial in retail and IoT allows retailers to do this through up-to-date insights into inventory availability. Starting in the warehouse, IoT-enabled sensors on product shelves can monitor weight fluctuations that signal when products are running low. This ability to recognize the popularity of particular goods – such as the ones that are flying off the shelves – allows retailers to proactively restock in good time. This is increasingly important as more and more customers move to online shopping – physical inventory isn’t visible, so the ability to know when to restock before someone purchases an item that isn’t available lowers the risk of transactional error. Additionally, warehouses are big and finding a particular product can be like finding a needle in a haystack – deploying sensors in your warehouse leads to greater overall visibility and streamlined processes.

Learn more about how IoT can enable your business

In a world where we are continually faced with floods of information coming at us from all directions, it’s more important than ever to deliver messages that break through the noise and capture the attention of your audience. Gone are the days of the passive and static billboard on the highway or in a shopping mall – today, there is a fast-growing demand for digital displays that deliver high quality, high-resolution content everywhere from public spaces to restaurants to shops. The demand to be flexible in order to quickly pivot both your message and where that message is seen and heard mean cellular IoT connectivity is the right choice when it comes to connecting your digital signs

Not all that long ago a digital sign was simply a digital replacement for a static sign. The signs weren’t ‘smart’ and they didn’t really do much more than passively display information. These days, digital displays are both interactive and dynamic, and they are connected to other resources or devices to provide near instant access to relevant and often personalized information. This leads to streamlined communication, differentiation from competitors, and often an improved bottom line.

But as digital signage evolves, new needs are emerging, calling for even more agile and dynamic solutions. This is where IoT brings real value. Businesses need simple, integrated solutions that offer the flexibility and freedom to customize their content and narrative without the need to constantly update their systems or lay out a lot of money.

So, when it comes to connecting your digital signs, it’s simple:  SIM-based cellular connectivity does away with the need for time consuming and complex on-site setups that you get with hardwired networks. By empowering digital displays with SIM cards, digital signs can be installed anywhere in the world where cellular networks exist – which means pretty much anywhere. You simply deploy your device, activate your SIM, and off you go, bringing your message to the audience you want, where you want.

Digital signage benefits

There are any number of benefits to connecting your digital signage, but these are the most critical due to broad applicability and relevance across most industries:

Enhanced engagement

Digital displays capture nearly 400% more views than traditional static displays. How does this impact your business? More views mean more opportunities, and more interest means more customers at your door, all of which can lead to more sales. Essentially, moving images attract eyes a lot faster than a static image.

Speed

We all know that time is money and the difference between traditional signs and digital signs is like night and day. Unlike with the old signs, digital displays don’t need to be printed, posted, and lived with for days or weeks on end, only to go through the process all over again when you have some new content. With digital signage, you can change your content in the blink of an eye, tailoring your message where and and when needed.

Greater customer satisfaction

From helping customers find their way to improving information accessibility, digital signage enhances customer experience in myriad ways. In fact, according to Digital Signage Today, customers who interact with digital signage have 46% high satisfaction, with managing queues by displaying estimated wait times and alerts when it’s a customer’s turn reducing perceived wait times at checkout by as much as 35%. All of this leads to increased customer retention.

Increased revenue

When it comes to retail, you can take advantage of your digital real estate in high-traffic areas by selling advertising space to well-chose third-party companies. These could be brands you offer in-store or businesses with complementary products and services. Of course, over-using this tactic can have the opposite effect: a few, well placed ads can be a bonus – a deluge could degrade the experience.

If you would like to learn more about how IoT can enable your digital signage, please get in touch. You can also learn more about how digital signage works in practice here.

Learn more about how cellular connectivity and IoT can enable your business

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