Adriano Adrianza

Pricing in the IoT ecosystem has evolved significantly compared to traditional telephony models. While conventional telephony simply distinguishes between prepaid and postpaid, IoT is more complex and responds to the diverse consumption patterns and operational needs of connected projects. Therefore, maximum flexibility in pricing models is essential in order to be able to adapt in the most accurate way to different use cases, from projects with predictable consumption to those with variable traffic patterns. This flexibility may seem contradictory, but it makes it difficult to make the decisions necessary to select and adapt the tariff that best meets the specific needs of each individual project or business. It is therefore essential to be supported by the tools of our IoT Partners Programme (IPP) and to optimize connectivity solutions. Understanding the differences between the various pricing models, particularly the comparative advantages between all the rates we offer from Telefónica Tech (which we will see in detail later), is a differential factor to optimize the operating costs of IoT projects in the long term. In this post you will find a summary of the initial possibilities we have to approach your business. Summary table of current pricing rates Practical implementation: how to choose the right model The choice of the most appropriate pricing model depends on many project-specific factors. We can offer some general recommendations based on our experience serving our partners: A dynamic pool rate offers the best balance between flexibility and efficiency for deployments with a large number of devices with heterogeneous consumption patterns. They allow devices with high consumption to be compensated by those with lower utilization, optimizing the overall utilization of the data pool. Let's consider an IoT project with 50 devices that require a dynamic pool of 10GB, each SIM contributes 10GB, therefore, we have a pool to be used by the 50 devices of 500GB (some SIMs can spend more than others and will not incur pay-per-use until they exceed 500GB of the full pool). In addition, if 10 SIMs are added to this plan, the bag will be increased by 100GB for a total of 600GB to be shared among all of them. Projects with gradual but predictable growth especially benefit from static pool rates, which allow for tight budget control while maintaining the flexibility of resource sharing. As we have indicated, in the static pool the data, sms or voice pool is fixed regardless of the number of active SIMs (generating traffic or consumptions) but allows that the distribution of that data/sms/voice pool can be dynamic per SIM within that rate. A clear example of this case refers to an IoT project with 50 devices, requiring static pool of 100GB shared by all devices in the project at a fixed price. Even if the number of devices is increased, the 100GB will not change and the price will not change. Complex individual rates are a pool of data/sms/voice included for each SIM individually and is an efficient pricing option when dealing with constant usage patterns, such as solutions with few devices but high data requirements. Example: an individual rate for 50 devices, with a 1GB bonus and an overage (pay-per-use or consumption above the required capacity), each device has 1GB at its disposal and, even if it does not spend it, it will be billed the full bonus if the SIM is active. On the other hand, if a SIM spends more than 1GB, it will be charged on a pay-as-you-go basis, even if there are SIMs that have not consumed 1GB. Solutions with few devices but high data requirements may find complex individual rates (with a bag of data/sms and/or voice included per SIM and exclusive non-shared) the most efficient option, especially when usage patterns are relatively constant. With an individual rate for 50 devices and a 1GB bonus and overage, each device has 1GB at its disposal and even if it does not spend it will be billed the full bonus if the SIM is active, on the other hand, if a SIM spends more than 1GB it will enter pay-as-you-go, even if there are sims that have not consumed 1GB. The pay-per-use (PPU) model allows paying only for the data consumed, with no fixed fees, providing a cost-effective alternative for projects with low or unpredictable data demand. And finally, prepaid rates allow a specific balance to be loaded on IoT SIMs, facilitating cost control and avoiding unexpected expenses. It is especially useful in projects where strict financial management is required or in use cases where connectivity has a limited duration. The strategic role of our IoT Partners Programme (IPP) in innovating charging models IPP plays a crucial role in collaborating to define new charging model designs that improve pricing accuracy for our partners. The program, at the same time, allows us to extend the functionality and competitiveness of our Telefónica Tech IoT Kite connectivity platform. This two-way collaboration within the common workspace promoted by the program not only benefits partners but also strengthens the position of our Kite platform in the market. Collaborative benefits The collaborative approach of the IoT Partners Programme (IPP) offers several key benefits: Billing and pricing accuracy: new billing models designed together with our partners ensure greater accuracy, which is essential for a successful business. Expanded functionality: the symbiosis between IPP and Kite allows to nurture and expand Kite capabilities, making it more versatile and attractive to users. Competitiveness: by improving functionality and billing accuracy, the platform becomes more competitive in the IoT market, to the benefit of our partners as well. Our IoT Partners Programme is a key to driving innovation and growth within the IoT ecosystem, fostering a winning relationship with our partners. ______ AUTHORS Adriano Adrianza Global Head of IoT Partners Programme Susana Pérez García-Valdecasas Technical Lead of IoT Partners Programme ✅ If you are interested in joining Telefónica Tech's IoT Partners Programme and accessing the benefits of our private portal, please contact us and we will explain how you can join this ecosystem that will grant you access to the best connectivity solutions to continue growing together in the IoT world. Connectivity & IoT How the IoT Partners Programme's private portal helps you manage your IoT connectivity efficiently July 8, 2024

We live in a society where we want to see immediate results. That's normal. The world moves very fast, business never rests, our customers' clients are as demanding as we are ourselves when we are in that position and, to add to that, we want the tools we use to be top quality, almost to the point of being personalized. The good news is that, if you belong to the IoT connectivity world and you are looking for a service with these characteristics, Telefónica Tech's IoT Partners Programme team may have what you need. The IoT Partners Programme (IPP) is an initiative designed to connect connectivity partners across all market segments. This program offers a commercialization model that combines specialization and profitability, maximizing growth in the IoT connectivity market. What really sets IPP apart is its private partner portal, an essential tool that takes management and transaction to a new level of efficiency. What is IoT Partners Programme? As we saw in a previous article, Telefónica Tech's IoT Partners Programme is a self-management ecosystem that allows our partners to reach all segments of the IoT connectivity market. The program provides the capillarity and scalability needed to capture the maximum value of the market, making it easier for SMEs, organizations and large enterprises to access and manage their connectivity needs in an automated and optimized way. You will have exclusive access to the private IoT partner portal that will allow you to manage your IoT connectivity business in an efficient and autonomous way. The Private Partner Portal: an essential tool The heart of IPP is its private partner portal, a transactional platform designed to simplify and streamline all operations related to the management of connectivity lines. This portal is more than just a platform; it is a comprehensive tool that allows IoT partners to perform the main actions required for line control and management efficiently and effectively. Portal highlights SIM Order Management: Partners can easily order SIM cards through the portal. The platform provides detailed tracking of orders to ensure that they are delivered correctly and allows consultation of all previous orders. SIM assignment: The SIM assignment tool allows partners to move SIMs between commercial plans or tariffs manually or in bulk, as required. It also provides a detailed history of the movements to facilitate management and provide feedback on the requests made. Contractual or Promotional Rates: Partners can consult prices and request contractual or promotional rates that are implemented and available for use in a short time. This enables a quick response to market opportunities and optimizes costs. Special Pricing Request: Partners have the ability to request special pricing for new opportunities, specifying the use case and coverage services required. This allows partners to adjust their offerings to the specific needs of their end customers. Contact and Support: The portal also allows partners to contact the support team for new connectivity needs, queries or any other type of request. This ensures personalized and efficient attention. Telefónica Tech's IoT Partners Programme portal What does all this mean and what benefits do our partners have by being part of this ecosystem and accessing our private portal? In addition to all these functionalities, our private partner portal is integrated with Kite, Telefónica Tech's managed connectivity platform. It offers advanced features such as inventory management, usage control, real-time alarms, geolocation and consumption of traffic generated by devices, automatic rules, and detailed reports. It also facilitates integration with vertical and industry solutions, as well as with the main IoT platforms on the market through APIs and toolkits. The portal not only improves operational efficiency, but also drives innovation and growth in the IoT space with advanced security capabilities, connectivity data analytics, and global coverage. An ecosystem that offers flexibility, agility, and ownership Telefónica Tech's IoT Partners Programme, with its private partner portal, redefines the way partners manage their connectivity needs. This transactional platform not only simplifies operational processes, but also offers flexibility and agility to respond quickly to market demands. It is more than just a platform. The IPP portal becomes a vital tool for streamlining business and maximizing opportunities in the dynamic world of IoT connectivity. ✅ If you are interested in joining Telefónica Tech's IoT Partners Programme and accessing the benefits of our private portal, please contact us and we will explain how you can join this ecosystem that will grant you access to the best connectivity solutions to continue growing together in the IoT world. Connectivity & IoT Learn about our IoT Partners Program, a business opportunity to grow in the global market September 25, 2023

At Telefónica Tech we work every day with dozens of technology partners to develop the best Internet of Things (IoT) solutions for customers around the world. In 2014 we created the Telefónica Tech IoT Partners Program (IPP) with the aim of strengthening our network of alliances. Since then, our partner programme has continued to grow; we currently have more than 1,500 associated companies and more than 160 certified partners from a dozen countries in Europe and the Americas. The program is intended for companies of all sizes that are developing IoT-based products and services and want to accelerate their commercialization. To achieve this, we work with them to empower their business and help them reach their full potential in commercialising IoT solutions. IoT has the potential to transform the way we live, work, and interact with the physical world. Benefits of Telefónica Tech's IoT Partners Program We offer our partners significant benefits through this programme and help them address the challenges they face in bringing IoT products and solutions to market, including: International presence and a highly qualified sales team to extend its global reach. Technical and commercial support to generate new business opportunities. Access to a global market of customers to increase your revenue. Option to leverage the capabilities of The ThinX, our advanced IoT lab, to accelerate the development of new solutions. Technical and commercial training and education programmes. Foster new opportunities for collaboration between our partners to promote knowledge sharing and innovation. The programme also has PAMs (Partners Account Managers) in all regions where it is present. These highly qualified professionals personally provide technical and commercial support to our partners to help them develop their business and take full advantage of the benefits of the programme. Our IPP (IoT Partners Program) is not just about connectivity. We strive to work closely with our partners to understand their strategy and growth plans. We can then devise the best strategy to help them cross borders, incorporate new functionalities to suit their needs and make barriers to entry into countries virtually non-existent. 🌎 A European partner specialising in IoT solutions wanted to expand its business into Latin America. With our capabilities and strong presence in the region, IoT Partners Program worked with him to develop an expansion strategy that included developing relationships with local partners. The ThinX, an advanced IoT lab at the service of our partners The ThinX Lab is one of the most advanced and best equipped environments in the IoT and Big Data technology space. We have recently expanded its capacity to continue to support our customers, partners, and collaborators in enhancing their IoT projects with the most advanced technologies. The ThinX has collaborated on the development of more than 700 IoT solutions in partnership with over 500 manufacturers, partners, and customers since 2017. Our team of experts from Telefónica Tech and other divisions of the Group are dedicated to the design, validation, and optimisation of IoT, Big Data and Blockchain solutions using platforms such as Kite, Smart Steps and TrustOS. Our partners, both local and global, have the opportunity to use The ThinX lab to carry out tests on their devices. For these tests they have at their disposal the most advanced mobile network and connectivity technologies, ranging from 2G and 3G to 4G, 5G, as well as LPWA, NB-IoT and LTE-M. Telefónica Tech's The ThinxX lab The ThinX also offers technical guidance from our hardware, connectivity, and solutions experts. In this way, we create a unique collaborative environment that goes beyond connectivity. In this environment, Telefónica Tech plays the role of a complete end-to-end technology integrator in the sector. What do companies need to do to access the Telefónica Tech IoT Partners Programme? The programme, which is open to companies of all sizes and sectors, has two specialties of participation: Connectivity partners: provide IoT connectivity to customers. Solution partners: develop and market complete IoT solutions, such as asset tracking, building management, security, and others. How do I join the IoT Partners Program Simply fill out this form to get started. Once the information has been validated as correct, a PAM is assigned as the point of contact for additional requests and operations. * * * AI of Things How global IoT satellite connectivity works September 12, 2023 Image: Rawpixel / Freepik.