IoT Channel Chronicles: MetTel Connects The IoT Dots With New Single SIM Chip

MetTel's New Single SIM Takes On IoT

MetTel launched a new Single SIM last week that the company said will automatically connects devices to the strongest signal – so that Internet of Things devices will have the best connectivity regardless of location.

The New York-based solution provider created the Single SIM to intelligently roam and identify the strongest signal in 165 countries, through the four major U.S. and 650 worldwide carriers.

The IoT Single SIM also features geo-fencing capabilities, enabling it to self-report its location – so customers can use it to view real-time data about regarding their product's status and location.

CRN talked to Max Silber, vice president of mobility and IoT at MetTel, about the solution provider's IoT strategy.

Talk about MetTel's IoT business – how have you been building out this division?

MetTel launched into the IoT business several years ago, when it was referred to as M2M – machine-to-machine. We quickly began to get engaged and provide complete end-to-end solutions to our customers that go beyond just connectivity. Today, we offer our customer base solutions to real-world business process issues, and take them from component design, through secure connectivity and eventually data analytics that can help them make better business decisions. By taking a more active role in supporting our customers' business process improvement initiatives, we can identify areas of improvement and address them by launching products like Single SIM.

You recently launched the new IoT Single SIM chip. How does this chip fit into your current IoT business?

MetTel has been in the IoT space for a while now, going back to when folks referred to it as M2M, so the new Single SIM is built on years of expertise and providing customers with reliable solutions that offer the best connectivity, flexibility and security.

We developed the Single SIM based on customers’ needs and our inherent understanding of the business challenges they face. We’re constantly working with them to ensure we’re providing the best communications solutions available given the nuances of each of their industries.

What first steps can solution providers take to get started in the IoT space?

IoT has become such a buzzword in the past few years but companies shouldn’t be intimidated by it -- there’s an element of education that’s needed in order to understand how IoT solutions can be tailored and customized to help them achieve their business objectives.

We start by consulting with our customers to help them first solve a business problem. That’s how we design the right IoT program for them. IoT Single SIM can be part of their holistic IoT strategy whether they are in health care, distribution, energy, government or other industries.

What are some use cases where the IoT Single SIM Chip would be helpful?

IoT Single SIM can be used for product distribution, vehicle tracking and asset tracking. For health care, it can be used to help drive the growing industry of Telehealth and remote patient monitoring. We have several large customers already piloting it and beginning to move into production. Another example is with parking meters, which can be monitored and controlled remotely by the Single SIM. And if they are moved to a new location, we can simply transform their IMSI identity to a new network from the cloud so new SIMs do not have to be installed. Pricing is based on data consumption needed, volume and location of connectivity around the world. Service can start for as little as a dollar and ramps up with usage. Availability is to all business customers.

What is MetTel's future strategy around IoT?

MetTel plans to continue to innovate around IoT. We want to give our clients the flexibility and the freedom to avoid getting locked in to any specific technology or network. Our mission is to provide an easy on ramp to IoT; the best global connectivity; to simplify and integrate networks and work closely with our customers to deliver practical innovation – unique, customized solutions that drive new efficiencies, raise productivity and spark innovation – without the pain and sacrifice of pure disruption. Connectivity at the IoT endpoint is the first step to gathering the data businesses need to improve how they deliver goods and services. As this evolves into data analytics and output, we will continue to support our customers through that evolution.