Sprint Is Building a Dedicated IoT Core Network

Sprint is taking a dramatically different approach to building an IoT network. The operator, which is in the midst of overhauling its cellular network in preparation for 5G, will also deploy a nationwide LTE-M network for IoT. But what’s different about Sprint���s LTE-M network is that it will use a virtualized IoT core that is separate from the operator’s existing cellular core. The operator plans to have its LTE-M network with the virtualized core ready for commercial launch in the fourth quarter. Sprint needs a bold IoT strategy. The company’s existing IoT business has been languishing because customers are primarily using its 3G CDMA network. And CDMA modules in Sprint’s 1900 MHz and 800 MHz spectrum bands are lacking. To help revamp the company’s IoT business, the operator hired Ivo Rook, who joined Sprint as SVP of IoT in December. Rook spent seven years at Vodafone where he most recently was CEO of Vodafone’s IoT business. Vodafone’s IoT group generates $1 billion in revenue and connects more than 50 million devices. Nishi Kant, chief technologist for Sprint’s IoT network, works for Rook. He said that as part of Sprint’s IoT overhaul, the company decided it needed to have a flexible core network so it could put computing capacity where it was needed. Not only does this free up capex dollars but it also gives the company the agility to add capacity where it’s necessary instead of forcing certain traffic patterns. “This is a completely dedicated core network that is independent of the existing core,” Kant said. It will overlay the same RAN but will have independent operational support services and back office systems. Other U.S. operators like Verizon and AT&T have already deployed nationwide LTE-M IoT networks, but those operators have not built separate core networks so their LTE-M networks use the existing network capacity.