Verizon launches LTE Cat M1 nationwide network for IoT

Verizon launches on 31 March what it says is the first nationwide commercial LTE Category M1 (or Cat M1) network, which spans 2.4 million square miles. The carrier said this is the first and only Cat M1 network providing scale, coverage and security for customers seeking wireless access products for IoT. Verizon's Cat M1 network is built on a virtualised cloud environment. Cat M1 devices can scale on Verizon's wireless network on data plans that are as low as USD 2 per month per device, with customised options available for bulk activations and volume, Verizon said.

In collaboration with various partners, Verizon enabled an open ecosystem for Cat M1 that includes infrastructure providers and manufacturers of chipsets, modules and devices. Verizon's Cat M1 partners include Sequans, Telit, U-Blox, Sierra Wireless, Gemalto, Qualcomm Technologies, and Altair. At present, Verizon offers certified chipsets, modules and devices for Cat M1 from Sequans, Telit, Qualcomm Technologies, Encore Networks, Link Labs, and NimbeLink.

Cat M1 LTE chipsets are pre-loaded with the Verizon ThingSpace client, the company explained in a press release. ThingSpace is Verizon's global, web-based IoT platform that enables developers and customers to create new IoT products and manage their IoT environments from the device to the application level.