Gemalto said there will be 1 billion IoT devices in the Japanese market by 2020
Dutch provider of digital security solutions Gemalto confirmed that its Cinterion LTE Cat-1 M2M module has completed interoperability testing by Japanese telecommunications operator NTT Docomo.
Gemalto said that the ELS31J and ELS51J wireless modules are engineered for IoT applications. Cinterion provides the communication links between a wide range of IoT devices, such as consumer wearables, smart meters and remote sensors.
The Dutch firm said that an estimated 624 million IoT devices were deployed across Japan in 2015, contributing to a U.S. $103 billion in market revenue. By 2020, these figures have been forecast to reach more than 1 billion units and 176 billion, respectively.
“We continue to collaborate with Gemalto to deliver LTE connectivity to our M2M and IoT enterprise customers,” said Toshiyuki Futakata, VP and Senior Manager of Radio Access Technology Group, Communication Device Development Department at NTT DoCoMo. “Given that this wireless module has already been successfully deployed in the U.S, we are confident that businesses and consumers in Japan will also enjoy the same highly efficient LTE connectivity.”
NTT initially launched its LTE-A service in March 2014, using a combination of spectrum in the 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 1.5 GHz, 1.7 GHz and 2 GHz bands, and currently offers the service in 976 cities across Japan.
Google launches Android Pay in Australia
In other APAC news, Android Pay has made its debut in Australia after launching in the United States, United Kingdom and Singapore. Google’s mobile wallet is making its debut in the Australian market with ANZ as its first major banking partner, along with American Express, Bank Australia, and a number of other financial institutions throughout the country.
Google said it has partnered with a total of 35 banks in Australia for the launch of the Android Pay service, which can be installed on any NFC-enabled Android device running KitKat 4.4 OS or higher.
Rival mobile wallet service Apple Pay and Samsung Pay area already active in the Australian market.
