Samsung Teams Up With Mobile TeleSystems To Deepen Research On IoT, 5G Networks

Samsung is teaming up with Russian telecommunications operator Mobile TeleSystems to test new Internet of Things technologies, including next-generation 5G networks.

The two companies will work to test advanced carrier aggregation, LTE broadcast, LTE machine and narrowband IoT, as well as paving the way toward 5G trials to help Mobile TeleSystems upgrade its data communication speed and discover new applications for 5G networks.

’Based on Samsung’s strengths in 5G and IoT, we look forward to supporting [Mobile TeleSystems] in solidifying their position as an innovative telecommunications leader by discovering new opportunities for the commercialization of 5G,’ said Dong Soo Park, executive vice president of the networks business at Samsung Electronics, in a statement.

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Under the partnership, the two companies will conduct tests to enhance data communications speeds for leveraging 4G, as well as assess the best technologies to tackle challenges in the expanding IoT market.

In June, Samsung said it will dish out $1.2 billion over the next four years for Internet of Things-related research and startups, solidifying the company's emphasis on the lucrative IoT market.

The South Korean company said its investment will target Internet of Things applications with social benefits, such as digital health, smart machines and autonomous vehicles.

A few months ago, Samsung said it would acquire U.S. cloud firm Joyent to bolster its IoT-related software and services. Last year, Samsung also launched Artik, a System on a Chip (SoC) that connects objects and the computing power behind those objects.

Jay Gordon, vice president of sales at Enterprise Mobile, a Plano, Texas-based mobile solution provider, said that when he attended the CTIA Super Mobility event earlier in the month, it was evident that ’IoT and 5G are dominating the discussion.’

’Communications leaders, such as Samsung, Qualcomm, the wireless carriers and other entities are messaging strong future capability regarding the availability of 5G,’ he said. ’This announcement by Samsung and Mobile TeleSystems follows suit, and we would expect that the collaboration they had to build out LTE will be useful to expedite the launch of 5G service.’

The partnership will give Samsung an opportunity to extend its mobility products into IoT as more products become connected, said Gordon. ’This investment by Samsung makes great sense as a leading global manufacturer of smartphones and tablets that will leverage 5G capability in the near future,’ he said.

Samsung and Mobile TeleSystems have collaborated before, first linking up in 2013 to establish LTE networks in cities across Russia. Samsung has also signed agreements with other operators, including partnering with SK Telecom to build a LoRaWAN network targeted for the Internet of Things.