Softbank tests NIDD technology for IoT services

SoftBank said it has been using NIDD (non-IP data delivery) technology to allow its IoT services to bypass the internet.

The Japanese operator announced recently that it has succeeded in completing what it claims is the world’s first connection test in a commercial environment for NIDD, which has been newly defined in the 3GPP for NB-IoT.

Softbank said NIDD enables users to transmit data to IoT devices without allocating an IP address, which reduces the risk of a malicious attack targeting an IoT device, making it possible to build a highly secure IoT network.

By eliminating such data as header information additionally required in conventional data communications, the company added, the electric power needed for communication is reduced and a broader area can be covered.

Also, by enabling connection on a closed network with IoT platforms provided by service providers and with external application servers, Softbank said it will enable operator to build a highly secure network from end to end.

Currently Softbank is providing IoT services using NB-IoT and LTE Cat-M1 technologies, for which an IP address is allocated.

The company said it aims to introduce and commercialize NIDD technology for devices tailored to various businesses and fields, such as crime prevention, social infrastructure and agriculture, making full use of its distinctive features of high security, low power consumption, and high area coverage.

A handful of companies – including Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Qualcomm, DK Corporation, Affirmed Networks and SB Cloud – are supporting the company’s NIDD experiment in Japan and will work together with Softbank toward further development of the IoT market.

“We expect that NIDD technology to reduce communication load for IoT devices and enables to accelerate utilization in IoT field especially for those who had difficulty in conventional conditions,” said Akira Sakakibara, CTO at Microsoft Japan.

“As NIDD technology corresponds to open standards, it can easily connect to Microsoft Azure IoT platform and enable to implement data management, view and AI features. SoftBank and Microsoft Japan will continuously contribute to accelerate IoT technology utilization in every industry.”

Tadashi Okazaki, head of solution architect at Amazon Web Services Japan, said security for IoT devices is strongly in demand as IoT popularity is growing.

“With the implementation of NIDD technology which securely connects AWS IoT platform and peripheral device, we expect to accelerate the popularization of IoT technology,” he said.

“Low power consumption is one of the characteristic of NIDD technology. Therefore, we hope to solve the long discussed controversy of IoT devices’ high power consumption.”