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In 2015, the travel and tourism trade contributed more than US$10 trillion to the global economy with business travel accounting for US$1.1 trillion. There are no signs that this is going to change in the coming years with spending forecast to grow seven percent in 2016. China and the US spend the most of business travel with the Chinese set to remain the leader according to the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) – the organization forecasted annual spending at 11.5% in 2017.
According to the American Express Global Travel Report – Global Business Travel Forecast 2018 – the ongoing evolution of mobile apps and hybrid meeting solutions, together with emerging technologies like virtual reality and artificial intelligence, have the potential to enhance online face-to-face experience as well as networking and interacting more deeply with content.
In response to the growing opportunity NTT DOCOMO has launched Globiot to provide global connectivity and related operational support and consulting to Japanese enterprises with global IoT operations.
Globiot is intended to help enterprises identify and use the most advantageous connectivity options suited to their IoT equipment deployments overseas.
It will provide global connectivity via local SIM/eSIM (Embedded Subscriber Identity Module) or roaming, as well as advise customers on appropriate business models. It will also provide support with operation and maintenance and advise customers about relevant IoT regulations and necessary certifications overseas.
DOCOMO has provided IoT connectivity services using docomo IoT KAISENKANRI Platform since 2012 and commercialized an eSIM solution for IoT equipment in 2014. So far, DOCOMO has coordinated its IoT-related services through alliances, such as IoT World Alliance, SCFA, Conexus and other organizations, and through direct collaboration with many overseas operators and various partners.
Leveraging DOCOMO's global experience and accumulated expertise, its global IoT solution "Globiot" will enable Japanese enterprises to reduce the time and cost of researching, preparing and launching global IoT operations.
Japanese enterprises have found it troublesome to arrange Internet connections for automotive and other IoT equipment they need to operate overseas, such as equipment for construction, agriculture and production operations. In particular, having to deal with varying IoT regulations and authentication procedures in each overseas region has slowed the pace of global expansions for these companies. DOCOMO's new solution, however, will simplify such tasks to help companies launch global IoT operations faster and for less cost.
Considering the continuous growth of the IoT market toward the upcoming 5G era, DOCOMO will exploit this solution to further assist its corporate customers in improving productivity and providing added values using IoT.
Definitions:
IoT World Alliance is a global partnership of nine telecommunications providers. The members are DOCOMO, KPN, Rogers, SingTel, Telefonica, Telenor Connexion, Telstra, Veon and DNA.
SCFA (Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement) is a cooperative business initiative of DOCOMO, China Mobile Communications Group and KT Corporation.
Conexus (Conexus Mobile Alliance) is one of the largest mobile alliances in the Asia-Pacific region.
