ERICSSON has launched three new solutions to equip communication service providers and utility companies to address services and requirements in the fast-growing Internet of Things (IoT) market.

Those new additions will strengthen Ericsson’s position with end-to-end capability.

IoT is quickly emerging as a very significant agent of transformation as it blends the physical and digital worlds. In the latest Ericsson Mobility Report, 28 billion connected devices are forecasted by the year 2021, more than half of which are M2M and IoT connections.

Numerous studies have identified the potential and value of IoT to society, with smart cities and connected homes, including consumer devices, making up as much that value. Driving industry innovations in smart cities and connected homes, Ericsson’s three IoT solutions are smart metering as a service; user and IoT data analytics and networks software 17A diversifying cellular for massive IoT.

According to Ericsson, with ICT becoming increasingly critical for utility providers as they look to improve operational efficiency and find ways to innovate and improve customer experience, Smart Metering as a Service enables end-to-end business process outsourcing drawing on Ericsson’s experience of enabling more than 42 million smart meters worldwide.

The benefits of Smart Metering as a Service, according to Ericsson include reduced time-to-market, superior meter management and operations, as well as maximum cost savings.