An epic quest to validate continuous global connectivity

In today’s world, constant connectivity seems like an everyday given. But reaching it is far from easy. Seamlessly consistent network coverage has historically been, and still is, difficult to obtain. Cellular and wireless networks come with particular limitations, offering fragmented connectivity and use across devices. Power efficiency makes this challenge even more difficult as devices require a constantly active connection.

“Uninterrupted consistent network coverage has historically been, and still is, difficult to obtain.”

To address this challenge of global connectivity, we set out to test LTE CAT-1 as a new solution. Our goal was to test continuous strong connectivity even in remote areas where technical infrastructure lags far behind the developed world and connectivity is low. The question we asked ourselves was, can we bridge this widening gap and provide reliable internet access even in areas with the weakest connectivity infrastructure?

criterion

We live-tested several tracking devices across Europe and Africa. An airplane with the NINA/LENA series of U-blox powered by Monogoto Connectivity carried several SODAQ-built devices. Each tracking device showed the route and reported back from each landing location. The journey covered 10 countries, starting in Europe, following the Nile through Egypt and Sudan, and moving further south to Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana and finally the East African coastline of Tanzania before heading to South Africa. Heading towards the area.

At the Mobile World Congress 2018, it was highlighted that both LTE-M and NB-IoT, both low-power wide-area network radio communication technologies for connected devices, cannot solve the connectivity challenge in countries with limited IoT capabilities Are. These technologies would take years to implement due to the resource-intensive work required of roaming contracts with multiple providers. This may contribute to the reason why chip and module vendors have noted that sales of LPWAN modules did not meet original projections.

LTE Cat-1

LTE CAT-1 is a ubiquitous technology used by smartphones around the world and we believe it can provide low cost and low power global connectivity. Cat-1 technology has been evolving for years and its potential to revolutionize global connectivity has been long anticipated. Devices with LTE (Long-Term Evolution) technology are capable of achieving higher data transfer speeds than older generations such as 2G or 3G.

Because it is compatible with older network technologies such as 2G and 3G, even countries with older infrastructure can take advantage of their existing 2G and 3G networks. Also, the focus on broad coverage allows network providers to expand their services to remote or rural areas that previously had no access to cellular connectivity.

Global connectivity possible

We learned that true global connectivity is achievable. Our main conclusion is that CAT-1 is well positioned to provide continuous global coverage even in remote areas – it has the advantage of being highly efficient, and uses less power without the downside of CAT-M or NB-IoT coverage. Requires access limits.