South Korea's KT and Nokia have conducted the first field trial of LTE-M, a standard for using LTE networks to connect IoT devices.
The trial was conducted using only 1.4MHz of a full 20MHz LTE system, using the remainder free for normal LTE network.
Using a Nokia base station, the companies were able to validate LTE-M technology, which is due to be incorporated in 3GPP Release 13.
LTE-M, also known as enhanced machine type communication (eMTC), will provide data rates of up to 1Mbps to IoT devices such as sensors over existing LTE networks. It will be suitable for medium-data-rate IoT connectivity use cases.
Operators will be able to incorporate the technology into their LTE networks through a software upgrade.
“This trial, a world-first, offers a solid platform to promote the widespread application of services powered by IoT technology by addressing limitations that are hampering its spread and reach,” KT head of network strategy Chang Seok Seo said in a statement.
“Together with Nokia, we will play a pivotal role in pioneering the emergence of IoT as the first-choice technology in Korea and beyond.”
Source: http://www.telecomasia.net/content/kt-nokia-complete-first-field-trial-lte-m