Onomondo makes IoT stack up for MNOs

Michael Karlsen, co-founder and CEO at Onomondo, remembers the siloed nature of the RANs and the horror is something he has strived to remedy whenever he can.

Claims it has integrated 700 radio access networks

Systems integration specialist Onomondo claims it has built the world’s most powerful IoT communications stack that will simplify connections, lower the barrier to entry and significantly widen the remit of the Internet of Things. Despite advances in hardware and cloud, the connectivity component of the IoT is a Frankenstein’s monster of crudely cobbled together organs from the bodies of national telecoms operators or Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs). This motley multiplex means enterprises don’t benefit from interoperability and visibility and they soon lose control over their connected assets.

Integrated RAN

Copenhagen-based Onomondo claims its IoT stack empowers customers with real-time monitoring and debugging, cloud connectors, APIs, webhooks and user-friendly simple management platform. It has redesigned the way machines and devices connect by creating a single virtualised IoT network, without reliance on the traditional operator network stack. Instead, the firm has integrated 700 operators at the Radio Access Network (RAN) level across more than 180 countries, and layered its own API-based IoT platform on top. This means users get insights on the performance of each connected device, allowing them to tap into their global grid and troubleshoot IoT devices from anywhere. 

Keep it SIM pull

Devices connected to Onomondo contain an interoperable SIM card, meaning assets can seamlessly move across national borders without the inherent complexity of roaming. Data is transferred directly across the Onomondo virtual network to one of the firm’s cloud partners, including Microsoft Azure, AWS and Google Cloud. This means enterprises can easily understand interactions between devices and the network, through the core network and on to the IoT cloud, all from a single interface. 

Connectivity market

The Onomondo system includes a connectivity market, where enterprises can set priorities based on cost, coverage and performance, so the system can automatically select the best operator in any given location, at any given time. This feature prevents operator lock-in by offering the freedom to control precisely which networks devices connect to. It also gives enterprises license to balance the quality of coverage and cost-optimisation, depending on the use case. 

As easy as IoT

The focus of IoT developers has always been on the Hardware and the Cloud while connectivity was a commodity, an afterthought added in the end, according to Michael Karlsen, Co-Founder & CEO, and Henrik Aagaard, Co-Founder & CTO at Onomondo. But connectivity has become crucial and the market wants something better. “The [connectivity movement] will dramatically heighten the success rate of IoT. By simplifying the connection Onomondo will lower the barriers to entry,” said Karlsen “our recent momentum is a clear representation of this shift.”

Funding

Onomondo’s latest funding round has been led by equity investment firm Verdane, a specialist in scaling digital consumer, software and sustainable society businesses. Onomondo said it will use the money to drive growth, tripling its annual recurring revenue ARR each year and double its staff from 50 to 100 by the end of 2022. It also intends to add to its customer base, which currently includes Bosch, Carlsberg and Maersk.

Express rollout

Karlsen, Aagaard and the Onomondo team have a deep understanding of traditional network infrastructure and they’re bringing a fresh approach to the challenges of IoT, according to Pål Malmros, Partner at Verdane. “We are convinced that Onomondo’s solution has the potential to vastly accelerate global roll-out of IoT and widen the remit of addressable use cases,” said Malmros.