Transatel Launches Global 5G IoT Connectivity in Japan

Runs on NTT’s Docomo network

Published: Thursday, July 7, 2022 - 12:00

(Transatel: Paris) -- Global cellular connectivity service provider Transatel, a subsidiary of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp. (NTT Group), announced the deployment on NTT’s Docomo network of its new worldwide 5G IoT solution for the industrial, IT and automotive sectors in Japan. Already available in France, Belgium, Italy, and the United States, Transatel’s 5G IoT service will be extended to the rest of the world in the coming months.

Now that it’s available in Japan, Transatel’s new mobile broadband connectivity service will enable many IoT use cases requiring a large volume of data. For this launch, NTT’s global mobile virtual network operators (MVNO) are partnering with NTT Docomo, the leading mobile operator in Japan.

“We are very happy to launch 5G IoT in Japan with Docomo,” says Transatel CEO Jacques Bonifay. “Our partnership demonstrates the strong business synergies within NTT group.”.

The announcement follows the spring 2022 launch of Transatel’s private 5G networks extension solution at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Industry 4.0 and hybrid workplace applications on the front line for 5G

Transatel’s global connectivity solutions for distributed workforce and field operations will be the first to benefit from 5G broadband connectivity. SIM- and eSIM-compatible PCs, tablets, and routers will now support data-intensive applications with unprecedented reliability and fluidity.

“5G is a revolution for the IT industry as it offers significantly superior performances, security and user experience compared to WIFI,” says Bonifay. “Very soon, most PCs and tablets sold on the market will be 5G ready, with cellular connectivity modules embedded.”

Industrial IoT and M2M use cases are also good candidates for 5G. Edge computing and artificial intelligence-based applications such as Video Content Analysis (VCA), push-to-talk, as well as autonomous robots and vehicles, require ever-growing volumes of data. The higher bandwidth and lower latency of public and private 5G connectivity addresses these new challenges while offering manufacturers new transformation and innovation opportunities.

Transatel’s 5G will also be available to consumers worldwide through its Ubigi brand, which offers eSIM cellular connectivity for international travelers and connected cars. However, it will take a few more years before second-generation 5G (or SA for Stand Alone) makes the development of autonomous driving possible.

Transatel is quickly extending its 5G IoT global footprint

After Japan, France, Belgium, Italy, and the United States, Transatel’s 5G IoT solution will be rolled out in many other countries in the coming months. Already available in nearly 200 destinations, its cellular IoT connectivity platform is now used by many international manufacturers, such as Airbus, Stellantis, and the integrator Worldline. Transatel's SIM and eSIM cards are embedded in more than 3 million devices around the world, including IoT sensors, PCs, and tablets but also industrial and agricultural robots, connected vehicles, and aircraft.

Unlike many virtual operators or simple resellers that have appeared on the IoT market recently, Transatel has its own telecom infrastructure and access agreements for 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE-M, and now, 5G, negotiated directly with hundreds of mobile network operators around the world.

“This flexibility and independence from operators allows Transatel to meet our customers’ coverage and quality of service requirements all over the world, regardless of their industry, their device, or their business applications,” says Bonifay.

About Transatel

Transatel is a global MVNO enabler and cellular connectivity solutions provider for the industry, IT, and automotive sectors. A pioneer in machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, Transatel’s global 3G/4G/5G and LTE-M connectivity platform enables IoT applications including sensors, trackers, mobile and enterprise edge devices, as well as connected vehicles and aircraft worldwide. Transatel manages more than 3 million SIM and eSIM profiles across more than 190 destinations for customers such as Airbus, Stellantis, Worldline, and Jaguar Land Rover. Learn more about Transatel here.

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