Verizon IoT Network Launched Across U.S.

Verizon's Narrowband IoT network is now widely available, offering enterprises a lower-cost option for low-power IoT devices that don't always require mobility, according to Verizon.

Verizon on Tuesday announced that its Narrowband IoT network is now available across the country, covering 92 percent of the U.S population.

Verizon's Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) Network is a lower-cost option to enterprises with IoT devices that only require low-power and throughput, and for IoT solutions that don't always require mobility, such as alarm panels, environmental sensors, and industrial appliances.

Verizon in 2015 unveiled its ThingSpace platform, a Web-based, self-service management interface that lets developers create IoT applications and partners market their services. Verizon said that ThingSpace, combined with its NB-IoT Network, rounds out its IoT strategy and will let enterprises build, connect, and manage their IoT solutions.

[Related: Verizon 5G, IoT Businesses Blossom As Oath Media Business, Enterprise Services Falter]

“There is a whole universe of smart solutions needing scalable and affordable connections. By launching our NB-IoT Network, Verizon is taking yet another step in making that connectivity available and driving innovation in the IoT field,” Jeffrey Dietel, Verizon's senior vice president of business marketing and products, said in a statement.

ACE Technology Advisors is a solution provider and Verizon partner that is getting in on the ground floor with mobility. The firm has adopted an MSP model in the wireless arena and sees IoT as a big, emerging opportunity for the channel.

"This [network] is something that absolutely would be of interest to us," said Andrew Gregoire, CEO of Fall River, Mass.-based Ace Technology Advisors.

Verizon did not immediately respond to CRN's request for information on whether its channel partners will have immediate access to sell the new Narrowband IoT Network.

The NB-IoT Network can support applications that require data rates below 100 kbps. NB-IoT technology occupies a dedicated frequency of 180 kHz bandwidth which does not share spectrum resources with commercial smartphone traffic, the carrier said. Verizon said its NB-IoT Network will be a good option for smart cities and buildings, as well as agricultural, and industrial settings, and for asset tracking use cases.

Basking Ridge, N.J.-based Verizon's initial NB-IoT Standard Price Plan offers 50 KB of data with a $1.00 monthly access fee per device. The data allowance can be shared with other NB-IoT devices on the same price plan and on the same account, the carrier said.

Verizon last month released mixed Q2 2019 financial results. While its wireline and business services continued to decline, the carrier's first quarter was anchored by strength in wireless and IoT. Verizon said it added a net 61,000 retail postpaid subscribers in Q1, including 174,000 net postpaid smartphone additions. While net phone subscribers dropped by 44,000 and tablet net losses were 156,000, Verizon said these losses were offset by 261,000 other connected device net additions, which were primarily wearables.

Verizon's Dallas-based rival AT&T earlier this month launched its own narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) service to complement its existing LTE-M network for IoT devices. AT&T said its NB-IoT network is a good fit for the simplest of sensors that require very little bandwidth and power compared to its LTE-M for smart home and smart goods, according to the carrier.