Micron Technology, Inc., (Nasdaq: MU) and Tata Communications (NSE:
TATACOMM) today announced they are joining forces to create a
worldwide cellular-enabled connectivity solution that will simplify
and accelerate large-scale global deployment of internet of things
(IoT) devices. This solution will be powered by a new virtual SIM,
the world’s first cloud-based embedded subscriber identity module
(eSIM), which offers a flexible, scalable alternative to
conventional physical SIM cards. The cloud-based eSIM will be
enabled by Micron’s Authenta™ Key Management Service (KMS), the
industry’s first silicon-based security-as-a-service platform for
edge devices.
With this technology, the Tata Communications MOVE™ Global IoT
Solution will offer a pervasive, end-to-end solution for zero-touch
onboarding of connected IoT devices to cloud services across 200
countries and territories — backed by the company’s
relationships with more than 600 mobile network operators
worldwide. The solution will unleash innovation in the expanding
IoT services ecosystem, which is predicted to nearly triple in
revenue by 2026 to $466 billion (ABI Research, IoT Market Tracker —
Worldwide, 2Q 2020).The companies are demonstrating this solution,
launching in 2021, at the online Micron and Tata Communications IoT
Security Conference, kicking off today.
“The business landscape we’re experiencing today is uncharted
territory, one that is forcing organizations to be agile and adopt
zero-touch, digital-first technologies and applications,” said Tata
Communications Chief Strategy Officer Tri Pham. “IoT solutions can
help businesses become more efficient and productive, and can also
bring in new opportunities and innovations, enabling them to scale
new levels of growth.”
Pham added, “Yet cybersecurity, seamless integration, and
reliable, robust connectivity and global reach continue to remain
key barriers to global enterprise adoption. By joining forces with
Micron to reimagine edge connectivity and security, we will create
a new paradigm that will rapidly accelerate and simplify IoT
deployment.”
While industry projections had forecasted 50 billion IoT device
deployments by 2020, the reality has fallen short with only around
9 billion IoT devices deployed. This disparity stems from vastly
underestimated challenges with cellular-enabled connectivity and
cybersecurity, which hamper IoT growth. Though cellular
connectivity offers significant advantages over Wi-Fi — such as
longer range, better outdoor performance, stronger security and
existing global infrastructure — ABI Research predicts only 420
million cellular-connected IoT devices in 2021, just a fraction of
total IoT deployments (ABI Research, M2M Embedded Cellular Models,
3Q 2020). This gap is due to the intricate logistics required for
worldwide cellular-enabled services, such as management of physical
SIM cards and fixed contracts per operator per country.
Tackling these challenges head-on, Tata Communications will
offer a cloud-based eSIM for IoT, underpinned by Micron’s
flash-based identity platform Authenta KMS. The solution will
enable:
- Highly scalable
IoT security: In lieu of a physical SIM card to
verify mobile identity, Authenta KMS provides device identities for
the virtual SIM in the cloud, enabling secure, zero-touch device
registration and onboarding to IoT services.
- Seamless global
connectivity: The new SIM feeds IoT devices with
secure borderless cellular-enabled connectivity anytime and
anywhere, eliminating the complex management of physical SIM cards,
localized operator contracts and roaming fees. This is especially
beneficial for the industrial, infrastructure, automotive,
aviation, and transport and logistics sectors that demand
far-reaching, global connectivity for portable devices even in
remote locations, unfettered by borders and close-range Wi-Fi
networks. The solution will also allow enterprises to incorporate
5G into their IoT deployment strategies, taking advantage of 5G’s
lower latency, higher capacity and faster data speeds.
- On-demand
cellular-enabled
subscription: The unique approach to SIM
technology enables just-in-time delivery of SIMs so that users
don’t have to subscribe to a monthly service until the connection
is actually needed in the field. This just-in-time delivery reduces
customers’ capital and operational expenditures, as compared to
physical SIM cards that require activation of service contracts
well before shipping.
- Pay-as-you-go
flexibility: Tata Communications MOVE™ platform
enables pay-as-you-go service, instead of fixed monthly contracts.
This is especially beneficial for customers who don’t need
always-on cellular-enabled connectivity, such as those combining
Wi-Fi and mobile networks.
Micron and Tata Communications
open up innovation for
the IoT services ecosystem
In dramatically simplifying flexible global connectivity, the
edge-to-cloud solution will also unlock rich possibilities for
innovation in the IoT market.
“The IoT ecosystem is at a tipping point. While there is
untapped business opportunity, current hardware security methods
are too complex and costly, or they limit scalability and
flexibility,” said Kris Baxter, vice president and general manager
of Micron’s Embedded Business Unit. “With Tata Communications’
cloud-based virtual SIM, Micron’s Authenta edge security will
bridge this gap, fostering enterprise IoT adoption and open
innovation in IoT services.”
With physical SIM cards, OEMs must tightly pair device identity
to the IoT service during manufacturing to prevent interaction of
insecure devices and services, but this results in vendor lock-in.
Authenta’s simple authentication decouples IoT service security
needs from manufacturing flow by allowing late binding of
third-party certificates. This flexibility frees end users to
securely access diverse, vendor-agnostic services, allowing them to
customize and harness IoT devices as platforms for innovation, akin
to the robust customization of smartphones with mobile app stores
today. Opening up the ecosystem, Micron and Tata Communications
will empower the IoT services market to reach its full promise with
a broader device footprint.
Micron’s Authenta security-as-a-service
solution powers
flash-based IoT identities
As the threat landscape grows riskier with sophisticated bad
actors and hacks on IoT devices from connected fish tanks to baby
monitors, cybersecurity is a weak link in IoT adoption. Through its
silicon root of trust, Authenta provides a unique level of
protection for the lowest layers of IoT software. Starting with the
boot process, Authenta uses strong cryptographic identity and
security features baked natively into flash memory. To enable
device compatibility with this new SIM, OEMs need only to install
Authenta flash; no secure key injection or added secure elements
are required.
Leveraging this root of trust, Micron’s cloud-based service
Authenta KMS authenticates these IoT devices, allowing them to be
activated and managed at the edge. This enables platform-hardening
and device protection through the entire lifecycle, from
manufacturing to installation. The ease of this
security-as-a-service solution is particularly beneficial for
traditional manufacturers making forays into connected devices for
IoT use cases. With Authenta’s plug-and-play security, these OEMs,
who lack cybersecurity experience, can focus on their core
competencies and rely on Micron’s decades of embedded expertise to
provide hardware security.
AvailabilityThis cloud-based eSIM for IoT
devices is slated to begin shipping in the first half of 2021.
Those interested in learning more about the eSIM can reach out to
MOVE@tatacommunications.com. For additional inquiries on Micron’s
Authenta technology, contact authenta@micron.com.
About Micron Technology, Inc. We are an
industry leader in innovative memory and storage solutions. Through
our global brands — Micron® and Crucial® — our broad portfolio of
high-performance memory and storage technologies, including DRAM,
NAND, 3D XPoint™ memory and NOR, is transforming how the world uses
information to enrich life for all. Backed by more than 40 years of
technology leadership, our memory and storage solutions enable
disruptive trends, including artificial intelligence, 5G, machine
learning and autonomous vehicles, in key market segments like
mobile, data center, client, consumer, industrial, graphics,
automotive, and networking. Our common stock is traded on the
Nasdaq under the MU symbol. To learn more about Micron Technology,
Inc., visit micron.com.
© 2020 Micron Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Micron, the
Micron logo, and Intelligence Accelerated are trademarks of Micron
Technology, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their
respective owners.
About Tata CommunicationsTata Communications is
a digital ecosystem enabler that powers today’s fast-growing
digital economy. The company enables the digital transformation of
enterprises globally, including 300 of the Fortune 500 – unlocking
opportunities for businesses by enabling borderless growth,
boosting product innovation and customer experience, improving
productivity and efficiency, building agility and managing risk.
With its solutions orientated approach and proven managed service
capabilities and cutting-edge infrastructure, Tata Communications
drives the next level of intelligence powered by cloud, mobility,
Internet of Things (IoT), collaboration, security, and network
services. Tata Communications carries around 30% of the world’s
internet routes and connects businesses to 60% of the world’s cloud
giants and 4 out of 5 mobile subscribers. The company’s
capabilities are underpinned by its global network, the world’s
largest wholly owned subsea fibre backbone and a Tier-1 IP network
with connectivity to more than 200 countries and territories. Tata
Communications Limited is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and
the National Stock Exchange of India.
© 2020 Tata Communications. All rights reserved. TATA
COMMUNICATIONS and TATA are trademarks of Tata Sons Private Limited
in certain countries. All other trademarks are the property of
their respective owners. Tata Communications MOVE is a trademark of
Tata Communications in certain countries. All other trademarks are
the property of their respective owners.
Micron Media Relations Contact
Steffi Lau
Micron Technology, Inc.
+1 (408) 834-1618
steffilau@micron.com
Tata Communications Media Relations Contact
Aastha Singh
Tata Communications Limited
+91 99670 89660
aastha.singh2@tatacommunications.com
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