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> The rest of the world uses 3G/4G modems in their smart meters, they are usually also connected to a different APN than generic mobile data. Yes. I guess it's

by yaantc 5y ago

> The rest of the world uses 3G/4G modems in their smart meters, they are usually also connected to a different APN than generic mobile data. Yes. I guess it's worth stressing this, as it seems taken for granted by people experienced with cellular M2M/IoT but maybe not so well known in the general public. A cellular modem is first connected to an operator network. For mainstream subscriptions it is then connected from there to the Internet, making a device behind the modem reachable over the Internet, with all the security issues associated. But for business customers the telcos offer "private APN" subscriptions, with a VPN connection to the customer. Then the modems are connected to the customer and not to the internet, and the devices behind are not publicly reachable. Support of private APNs is part of cellular data since 2G GPRS, so from the very start. One can expect industrial cellular users to use them.

laurencerowe 5y ago
Mobile networks evolve fairly quickly. Spectrum is limited so mobile operators like to phase out older standards in favour of newer ones to make better use of their available spectrum. Upgrading the modem in a smart meter requires visiting every location you serve. That's not something a utility would like to do more than once every few decades. With 3G and 2G now being phased out, will utilities have to replace all their smart meters? https://hyphabit.io/2g-network-closure-uk/ https://hyphabit.io/2g-network-closure-uk/
- yaantc 5y ago
  It's a valid concern, but it's a contractual problem more than a technology one. Companies doing smart meters are not taking the basic subscriptions made for the public. They have dedicated contracts with their telcos, with commitment for long term support. So these smart meters companies have visibility and guarantees, and are updated on the telcos long term plans. That's what enable them to deploy meters with 15 years of life span. The way it works in practice is that telcos may close their "old" 2G (or 3G, but 3G is not used much there. Most jump direct from 2G to 4G) networks to the public, but keep some capacity in operation for those industrial users only for a lot more time --- as long as needed per their contractual obligations. The general public won't see this, as these frequencies will be denied to anyone but specific industrial subscribers. There's no need for much capacity either, as smart meter don't "talk" much. Another way these long term needs can be addressed is through standard support. For IoT, LTE (perceived as a 4G technology) meets the 5G requirements from R15 onward. And there's work to support these LTE IoT devices (LTE-M, NB-IoT) over "5G" (the tech is called "NR", or "New Radio". Engineering naming ;) channels onward, so there won't be a need for dedicated LTE IoT channels for IoT, as is done for 2G. So independent of the way it's done, the cellular industry does support long term commitment for M2M/IoT. But as you can see, it's geared toward big customers in practice. In theory one could think about ways to open this to smaller clients (cloud like subscription and access), but I'm not sure anyone does this. It's not a tech problem, more a cultural and business one.

by yaantc 5y ago

laurencerowe 5y ago

Mobile networks evolve fairly quickly. Spectrum is limited so mobile operators like to phase out older standards in favour of newer ones to make better use of their available spectrum. Upgrading the modem in a smart meter requires visiting every location you serve. That's not something a utility would like to do more than once every few decades. With 3G and 2G now being phased out, will utilities have to replace all their smart meters? https://hyphabit.io/2g-network-closure-uk/ https://hyphabit.io/2g-network-closure-uk/

yaantc 5y ago
It's a valid concern, but it's a contractual problem more than a technology one. Companies doing smart meters are not taking the basic subscriptions made for the public. They have dedicated contracts with their telcos, with commitment for long term support. So these smart meters companies have visibility and guarantees, and are updated on the telcos long term plans. That's what enable them to deploy meters with 15 years of life span. The way it works in practice is that telcos may close their "old" 2G (or 3G, but 3G is not used much there. Most jump direct from 2G to 4G) networks to the public, but keep some capacity in operation for those industrial users only for a lot more time --- as long as needed per their contractual obligations. The general public won't see this, as these frequencies will be denied to anyone but specific industrial subscribers. There's no need for much capacity either, as smart meter don't "talk" much. Another way these long term needs can be addressed is through standard support. For IoT, LTE (perceived as a 4G technology) meets the 5G requirements from R15 onward. And there's work to support these LTE IoT devices (LTE-M, NB-IoT) over "5G" (the tech is called "NR", or "New Radio". Engineering naming ;) channels onward, so there won't be a need for dedicated LTE IoT channels for IoT, as is done for 2G. So independent of the way it's done, the cellular industry does support long term commitment for M2M/IoT. But as you can see, it's geared toward big customers in practice. In theory one could think about ways to open this to smaller clients (cloud like subscription and access), but I'm not sure anyone does this. It's not a tech problem, more a cultural and business one.