So over the past year, there has been lots of press about the Internet of Things (IoT) and there has been information on the Connected Car and Telematics, Connected Transportation, Connected City, Connected Everything... But just how do we connect all of these devices? Magic? Why do we care?

Well according to Goldman Sachs there will be:

If we examine these "28 Billion reasons" a little deeper using the recent Cisco Global Cloud Index (GCI) we find that the average number of devices an Internet User uses will grow substantially by 2018.

Figure 1: Global Cloud Index Info graphic

 All of these devices will drive huge amounts of data as we see again from the GCI.

Figure 2 Global Cloud Index Page

So what to do? Let's start with the Service Provider..

Many people have viewed that the only value that Service Providers do bring to the IoT is just connectivity, which is false. So recently I have blogged about this topic of the value of the Service Provider / Mobile Operator in the IoT space. Where we highlighted the value beyond just connectivity that Service Providers deliver and highlight the services of Service Providers like AT&T, Sprint, and Orange Business Services. These Service Providers were on a panel with us recently at the IoT World Forum in Chicago and discussed that Service Providers & Mobile Operators have complete IoT solutions today. The panel highlighted that the key differentiator for the operators is managing the Quality Of Experience of the end users and some of the examples discussed were in the areas of Smart Home Security, Home Health Care, Home Automation, Energy, Connected Car, Telematics, Connected Agriculture, Connected Transportation, Asset Tracking, and Cloud Delivery. Along with their ecosystem partners they can offer a more complete solution.

A replay of the session is available at the IoT World Forum Site located at the bottom of the page under  "Smart Cities, The Value Delivered by the Service Provider in IoT"

Cisco IoT Cloud Connect

To help Service Providers expand their offerings in the IoT arena, Cisco is delivering a new IoT Solution for Mobile Operators and Service Providers that can help handle the ever growing IoT experience, it is called Cisco IoT Cloud Connect. Cisco IoT Cloud Connect is a hosted managed cloud IoT platform that manages and automates IoT service delivery for mobile network operators. This solution delivers the most complete set of features and functions in the industry, while providing the fastest and easiest path to market.

The Cisco IoT Cloud Connect hosted offering is a holistic approach to help Mobile Operators address IoT and machine-to-machine (M2M) go-to-market needs. It combines the power of Cisco's innovative packet core portfolio and M2M services delivery platform with the technologies of Cisco's IoT ecosystem partners across the M2M value chain.

Main Differentiators of Cisco IoT Cloud Connect

• Global IoT connectivity and management
• Lower point of entry and cost structure, for higher profitability
• Quicker time to market
• Capability for mobile network operators to win business at lower Average Revenue Per Connection (ARPC)
• Complete cloud-based solution and joint Cisco and mobile operator partnership, not just point products
• Cisco IoT ecosystem partners

Learn more about Cisco IoT Cloud Connect at: http://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en/us/solutions/collateral/service-provider/lte-epc/at-a-glance-c45-733095.pdf

Also watch this space for more of the IoT Services that Services Providers deliver in the IoT space. If you have questions about the Cisco IoT Cloud Connect, please tweet us @CiscoSPMobility.