Leading the next wave of technology with IoT

Businesses today are scrambling to integrate intelligent objects into everyday devices and gadgets, buoyed by the rapidly declining cost of microprocessors and always-on connectivity. Diomedes Kastanis, Head of IoT, Singtel, shared at the 2018 Innovfest Unbound panel session that the proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT) is multifaceted. However, the onus is on service providers, technology partners and governments to usher IoT into its full potential.

One key driver of IoT deployments would undoubtedly be China, which has placed substantial emphasis on urban IoT deployments and the creation of the ecosystem. With an emphasis on considerations such as battery utilisation and coverage in hard-to-reach areas such as basements, manufacturers in China have devoted substantial resources to developing new types of devices to meet these requirements.

The focus is somewhat different in North America, with tech companies such as Google, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Microsoft making significant progress on AI solutions in the form of machine learning and big data applications. The massive amount of data generated from IoT devices is a perfect resource to fuel the development and training of AI models.

In Singapore, the passion and vigour behind the discussions about IoT deployments in the city-state underscore what can be achieved when leaders seek to improve living standards through technology.

While the mention of IoT generally evokes images of hardware appliances running silently in the dark, this is not an accurate representation of the rapidly evolving technology. As IoT progress through the maturity curve, we can expect a diverse range of applications to emerge and muddy the waters of what constitutes IoT.

The majority of early IoT implementations within the enterprise are primarily geared towards either reducing cost, or to decrease time-to-market with the use of automation. But while the current wave of IoT deployments are focused on a more complex blend of cost coverage, automation and simplicity, the trend is leaning towards monetisation. Indeed, early adopters are already moving there as they seek to use the insights derived from their IoT deployments for revenue creation.

While IoT presents network opportunities for telecommunication operators, the focus should be on the development of a fully programmable, transparent and predictable network that can amplify the value of the network to support IoT services.

As IoT evolves, the greater challenge is less about innovation, but ensuring that the breakneck pace of breakthroughs and new implementations is not stymied through outdated regulations. This is essential for smart cities deployments in particular. A look at Singapore shows that not all IoT systems are currently available as processes such as certifications are required. However, care should be taken to continually harmonise technology and regulations to ensure that an optimal cadence is adopted for smooth deployments.

For now, a diverse range of players is contributing to the development of IoT. This includes start-ups from educational institutions such as Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Polytechnic, and commercial organisations such as Singtel and its partners.

Ultimately, stakeholders and providers must move from being competitors to value creators to tap into the benefits of IoT. Instead of competing head-on against each other, there is a need to synthesise capabilities in an orchestrated way to benefit both people and organisations.

It is paramount that stakeholders work together to develop the IoT ecosystem by collaborating with a diverse range of partners - possessing specialised capabilities in niche industries or specific network capabilities - or manufacturers with a common end-goal of being user-centric, focusing on the people and things to positively impact Singapore’s IoT landscape.

Hear more about our network-first innovations from our IoT team.