In an age where the Internet of Things (IoT) is reshaping the digital landscape, the question remains: How do we accomplish IoT connectivity services that fit very different scenarios? Everything from providing a global unified connectivity to enabling smaller domestic customers with a secure but cost-effective service delivery.
The answer might lie in rethinking the role of private Access Point Names (private APNs) within the complex tapestry of IoT connectivity.
To say IoT has transformed the way industries operate would be an understatement. Everybody is familiar with the growing number of connected devices when it comes to consumers, but what may be surprising is that enterprise IoT currently makes up around three-quarters of the global IoT market.
However, regardless of the benefits, this boom in IoT has led to a surge in complex connectivity, which demands more than conventional mobile networks can offer. With enterprises continually scaling, a hyperscaler approach has emerged as the ideal solution to provide the agility and global reach required in the IoT sphere. Hyperscalers, the giants of cloud computing, offer boundless potential. By building services on top of these platforms, a new layer of programmability, flexibility, and automation can be added to the mobile infrastructure. This facilitates an enhanced IoT connectivity offering that aligns with the rapidly evolving requirements of enterprises globally.
Redefining the Role of Private APNs and Balancing Efficiency with Security
Historically, Private APNs, which terminate in an Enterprise Virtual Private Network (VPN), have been the cornerstone of IoT connectivity for enterprises. These VPNs ensure a secure and always-on connection for all IoT devices, facilitating seamless communication between devices and their respective backend applications. However, as demands increase, this model is undergoing a crucial transformation.
One of the pivotal advantages of what’s referred to as ‘multitenancy private’ APN is its ability to scale. Mobile operators can use a single APN for multiple enterprise customers while keeping traffic separate and delivering one or many VPNs to each. Automation plays a critical role here. In conventional systems, setting up VPNs can be tedious, sometimes taking months. In contrast, modern systems allow customers to self-configure their VPNs in mere minutes.
Moreover, using a singular joint APN offers a wide range of benefits. For starters, any changes no longer necessitate cumbersome APN updates across thousands of devices—a challenge that is further compounded when devices are in remote locations. With a multitenancy private APN, updates can be made centrally by directing the traffic to a different VPN destination.
However, it is not just about efficiency—security remains paramount. Most enterprises seek IoT connectivity that mirrors the security and control of their corporate local area networks (LANs). The challenge arises when these devices operate on (global) mobile networks, needing to incorporate enterprise customers’ partners. A conventional Private APN, in such scenarios, falls short.
One solution is to harness an IoT connectivity control service (IoT CCS) from the cloud. These services can extend the reach of Private APNs to enterprise customers’ global partner networks without compromising on security. Furthermore, by incorporating global mobile network operator partners and connectivity hubs into the IoT CCS ecosystem, enterprises will get a secure global software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) instead of being restricted to a conventional Private APN.
Stepping into a Global Future
The benefits of setting up an IoT CCS are numerous. Local breakout of IoT traffic becomes feasible, thanks to the cloud’s ‘global presence’. This ensures that IoT traffic can be routed effectively while guaranteeing security, regardless of the device’s location. Such a global SD-WAN aligns perfectly with the needs of international IoT suppliers, offering them a robust platform to include partner companies in their SD-WAN setups.
In the competitive landscape of IoT, the pressure is on mobile operators to deliver a cohesive, secure, and global SD-WAN for IoT to each customer under a single contract paired with uniform customer support. As globalization ensues, enterprises are demanding IoT connectivity services that remain consistent across country borders.
The conventional private APN with a singular enterprise VPN often falls short. Many enterprises find that to segregate their IoT traffic efficiently, there is a need to split traffic from a device into multiple VPN connections. For instance, when considering global connectivity, it is paramount that specific traffic can go out locally yet still be shielded by firewalls. On the other hand, sensitive data must travel securely through Enterprise VPN tunnels back to the IoT device suppliers and their associates. This is impossible to achieve with a traditional mobile core. It can only be provided with SD-WAN functionality via a multitenancy private APN.
It is crucial that the approach to service delivery and control remains consistent, regardless of whether the traffic is routed via roaming or the localization of eSIMs. Such localization is mandatory in certain markets due to legal and commercial prerequisites. However, localizing a device using eSIM often means that the mobile operator relinquishes control to the local operator. By linking the local partner network to their IoT connectivity hub, service providers can maintain authority over the IoT device, even post-localization. By default, the traffic will then be home-routed using the consistent APN name. Should a local traffic break-out be needed, the mobile operator has the capability to establish IoT connectivity service nodes at the nearest hyperscaler-provided location.
Typically, teams in charge of a mobile operator’s core and business support system (BSS) lean towards stability, often taking their time to implement changes, especially those suggested by discerning clients. However, with an IoT CCS service, operators can escape these confines. This flexibility empowers them to innovate, developing IoT services that were previously unattainable within the rigid parameters of the 3GPP environment. As a result, mobile operators can tailor their IoT connectivity services to cater to the distinct needs of diverse customer categories.
Future Outlook
The globalization of IoT presents an exciting frontier, laden with both challenges and opportunities. At the heart of this vast ecosystem, APNs serve as the silent, indispensable backbone, ensuring data flows seamlessly, securely, and swiftly.
Looking ahead, the importance of reshaping, reimagining, and reinforcing APN structures becomes clear. It’s not just about connecting devices; it is about fostering a symbiotic ecosystem. Multitenancy Private APNs stand at this juncture, promising a future where the IoT thrives, flourishes, and transforms the very fabric of our digital existence.
By championing standardization and enabling seamless mobility, Multitenancy Private APNs will be pivotal in crafting the next chapter of the IoT narrative. As technology continues its relentless march forward, it is incumbent upon us to ensure that the foundational elements, like APNs, are fortified, future-ready, and finely tuned to the ever-evolving demands of our interconnected world.
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