Knowledge base

A GSM Cell-ID (CID) is a unique number by which GSM towers or the sector of the GSM tower can be identified within a location area code (LAC) or a GSM network. The first or last digits of a CID represent the sector ID. For example, if a secured M2M or LTE M simcard sees one cell tower, its Cell ID is released.

A Smart City is a city where a high quality of life is created and sustainable economic developments are achieved by means of Internet of Things applications and information technology. Smart City how to achieve it? This is achieved by excelling in six important foundations: economy, mobility, environment, people, quality of life and government. Cities can improve energy distribution, streamline waste collection, reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality using IoT applications.

Devices can perform increasingly complex calculations and process information themselves. This is called 'edge computing': the increased computing power at the place where data is collected, at the edge of the network. Edge Computing how does it work? It makes the system and applications more efficient by removing the components and data services from a centralized server and moving the data closer to the “edge”. This will improve response times and save bandwidth.

Massive Machine Type Communications (mMTC) is one of the three defining features of 5G. The focus of mMTC is to provide connectivity to a large number of devices that transmit a sporadically low amount of data and should have no delay. The mMTC devices are expected to have a very long battery life. A unique feature of this category is that the mMTC devices will be extremely varied in terms of capabilities, cost, energy consumption and transmitting power.

Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications is one of the three defining features of 5G. Strict demands on both latency and reliability are the distinguishing features of this use case category, which focuses primarily on machine-type communication (MTC). Applications of URLCC include wireless control of industrial production and manufacturing processes, remote medical surgery, self-driving and/or remote-controlled vehicles and automation of distribution in smart grids.

Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) is one of the three defining features of 5G. It is an improvement of Mobile Broadband which is wireless internet access over mobile networks. eMBB enables new data-driven experiences that require high data rates, resulting in a faster and better user experience. eMBB will easily handle wireless internet in places where large numbers of people gather, such as in stadiums. eMBB will also make the use of AI, VR and AR accessible via the mobile network.

A proof of concept (PoC) is a method to demonstrate whether, for example, an Internet of Things (IoT) concept (technology or functionality) is feasible and is in line with the perception of an end customer. In other words: whether it has any potential to actually be used after its introduction. With a proof of concept ideas get a lot more direction and it provides insight and proof much faster whether the idea works or not. This allows potential decision-makers to be convinced more quickly of the chances of success of an IoT concept.

An Application Programming Interface (API) is a gateway to an existing application (for example, the sim management system of an IoT connectivity application, such as M2M, LTE M or NB-IOT) that makes it possible to make functionality of the application available to other systems. An API thus enables communication between different systems. APIs are designed to populate, restore, update, and delete values. An API takes advantage of web-based protocols such as HTTP and XML.

MQTT protocol (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) is a common language through which sensors, actuators and machines can communicate with each other. It is a lightweight publish and subscribe system. The protocol was developed as a simple system to transfer data with a low bandwidth. Thanks to these properties, MQTT is very suitable for use within Internet of Things applications. MQTT is used in various industries such as automotive, manufacturing, telecommunications, oil and gas. MQTT uses the following basic concepts: Publish/Subscribe, Messages, Topics and Broker. Publish and subscribe principle First of all, the Publish and Subscribe principle. A device can publish a message on a topic. It is also possible to subscribe to a so-called topic, whereby we indicate that we want to receive the message of this topic. MQTT and Topics A topic is the way in which it is indicated how a message is published, or how it is indicated which messages should be received. Topics are displayed as a string separated by a slash. Each slash indicates a level. The broker is ultimately responsible for receiving all messages. When a device publishes a message, it will go to the broker.

Internet Protocol (IP) is a set of rules governing how data should be delivered over public networks. It is a part of the system that is used to allow networks to communicate with each other, such as on the Internet usually via an IP address. The internet protocol is part of a stack that is necessary for communication. In combination with the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), it is referred to as TCP/IP.

Big Data is an umbrella term for the enormous increase in the amount of data that becomes available via ICT systems, devices (hardware) and online activities of users. Big Data is about extracting online information from a large amount of data from a large number of different sources. Its sources are diverse and the data is both structured and unstructured. If it is possible that connections can be made from all those different types of data, this can provide organizations with new insights.

eUICC stands for Embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card (eUICC). The main advantage of eUICC is that it offers the possibility to configure multiple mobile network profiles on a single simcard. These network profiles can be easily configured and managed over the air (OTA). With eUICC you can rest assured that your IoT connectivity will remain stable and it mainly benefits from a global roll-out, where one specific operator can usually not offer the best suitable conditions in all regions. Where is eUICC often used? Without specific modifications to the hardware or adjustments in the production process, the profile of a local operator can be configured on a simcard. eUICC is often used in M2M and LTE M connectivity.