5G and IoT: How telecom operators can boost innovation in collaboration with HW labs

Abstract

The next generation network technology 5G will introduce new opportunities for telecom operators and mitigate their declining connectivity revenues. 5G will among other things enable a massive number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices to be connected to its network. This article reviews and discuss the role of IoT Hardware (HW) labs and their potential contribution to the exploration of new 5G/IoT product and service innovations and business models. The development is jointly executed by the telecom operator, startups and other private and public ecosystem partners connected to these IoT HW labs. Our findings include three established IoT HW labs and a fourth that is a candidate to be established in Norway. The research methods applied are desk top studies, interview, and a preliminary survey of potential lab users. A combined agile innovation and IoT ecosystem framework is designed to support the joint exploration process. Here multiple agile steps (prototype, pilot, and pivot) can be realized through startups access to the IoT HW labs. Other ecosystem partners complement with commercial and technological expertise and resources. The telecom operators can orchestrate the commercialization process as well as the long-term performance and robustness of the whole ecosystem. Further research should include joint innovation use cases across different industry verticals where the participation from the ecosystem actors during all agile innovation steps are studied.