AT&T IoT rate plans include data bucket and text messages targeting developers and enterprises, with LTE-M trial ahead of broader 2017 launch
AT&T’s plans for the “internet of things” continues to evolve, with the carrier launching mobile-specific IoT rate plans and a scheduled trial of enhanced Machine Type Communication technology in San Francisco next month.
The new prepaid plans, which target developers and businesses, include three tiers of data and text messages: 1 gigabyte of data valid for up to 1 year and 500 text messages for $25; 3 GB of data valid for up to 1 year and 1,000 text messages for $60; and 5 GB of data valid for up to 2 years and 1,500 text messages for $100. The plans are set to be available later this month.
“Making data plans available for developers and innovators lowers the barrier to entry,” explained Chris Penrose, SVP for IoT solutions at AT&T. “It lets smaller players, used to working at the speed of innovation, get their products off the ground and in the hands of customers quickly. After these initial plans are deployed, we help them scale their solution beyond a thousand SIMs and provide connectivity as they grow their business.”
The carrier noted the plans follow up on its IoT Starter Kit, which launched in July. The $99 kit includes a global SIM card; LTE modem; access to AT&T’s Control Center; an expandable development board designed to work with a range of plug-in sensors; an API to monitor the network connection and data transfer; cloud storage to host, manage and share data across multiple groups; access to AT&T Flow Designer, which is designed to help developers launch IoT apps; and a microcontroller carrier board with Arduino-compatible expansion slot.
Unveiling price plans for IoT-specific devices is still a new phenomenon in the mobile telecom space. For the most part, such public pricing has been limited to attachment options in which consumers can add nontraditional device connectivity to their current data buckets. AT&T, for instance, allows customers to add shared data access for in-vehicle Wi-Fi connections for $10 per month.
LTE-M trial ahead of network launch
AT&T said the LTE-M network trial will include technology help from Altair, Ericsson, Qualcomm, Sierra Wireless, U-blox, Wistron NeWeb and Xirgo. Participants are set to include Badger Meter, CalAmp, Capstone Metering, PepsiCo and Samsung.
Ahead of the trial’s planned start, AT&T said it’s planning to launch the LTE-M technology across its network next year. The carrier expects the technology to provide a lower cost for modules to connect IoT devices to its LTE network; longer battery life of up to 10 years; and improved coverage for IoT devices.
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