When it comes to delivering future Internet of Things (IoT) services to subscribers, broadband service providers, particularly cable operators, are sitting pretty because of the equipment and network infrastructure they already have in place. However, the huge challenges of standardization and reliability as well as the innate security hobgoblins of IoT will necessitate herculean cooperation efforts on a scale that’s previously perhaps rarely been seen.
Operators, vendors, and standards bodies in the U.S. will have to work together from the get-go to guarantee seamless technology rollouts. They also must keep a firm eye on what’s going on in other parts of the world where interest in IoT also is exploding and where new IoT solutions are in the works – for example, in Europe.
“The smart home concept is expanding across Europe as consumers explore new energy management, security, and connected entertainment solutions in the Internet of Things,” Stuart Sikes, president of Parks Associates, observes. He adds that his firm anticipates steady growth in that area of the world over the next few years in key smart home and IoT categories, including security, smart light bulbs, thermostats, and energy.
The Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers and its global arm, the International Society of Broadband Experts, is one association that is looking to take on IoT cooperation issues with the recent creation of its Internet of Things Working Group within the SCTE/ISBE Standards Group. Its goal is said to be positioning the cable industry in particular as a pivotal delivery channel for IoT technologies, products, and services. Chris Cholas, gateway solutions architect at Intel, was appointed chair by the SCTE/ISBE Standards Engineering Committee at last month’s Cable-Tec Expo.
“Even as it opens the door to new business opportunities, the massive number of Internet of Things devices that are being connected to our networks present unique reliability and security requirements,” Chris Bastian, SVP and CTO of SCTE/ISBE, says. “Our new IoT working group is intended to bring together network operators and vendors to determine how best to standardize and operationalize these new services.”
Those of you interested in IoT plays worldwide might want to pay attention to news that will come out this week from Amsterdam, where Parks Associates is offering its Connections Europe conference Nov. 2-3. Keynotes from Allianz, Amazon, Nest, and Panasonic executives are on the agenda. More info on that meeting is available here.
