Japan’s NTT Docomo Business has announced Pro, an IoT-focused network-as-a-service (NaaS) with built-in security features.

Designed to support the large-scale and global deployment of connected products, Pro should help users manage and operate tens of thousands of IoT connections. The service will be available from March 2027.

This offering aims to improve operational management through the centralised control of domestic and international IoT connectivity, operational automation and system integration, while enhancing security. It should reduce the operational burden while supporting the continued delivery of value through connected products and services.

In recent years, against the backdrop of labour shortages resulting from Japan’s declining birthrate and aging population, various industries, such as manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, social infrastructure and mobility, have been pursuing labour-saving processes and more sophisticated operations through autonomous driving, remote monitoring and the use of AI. To support these initiatives, the adoption of connected products, which include communications functions embedded into vehicles, industrial machinery, surveillance cameras, medical equipment and other devices, has been expanding.

The number of connections and devices operated and managed by companies has thus expanded from several thousand to tens of thousands, increasing the importance of efficient operation and management. In particular, when providing services using connected products in Japan and overseas, companies face increasingly complex operational difficulties, including lifecycle management (activating, suspending and terminating SIMs), integration with external systems, monitoring communications status and responding to failures.

In addition, it has become increasingly important to address unauthorised communications and malware infections caused by cyber attacks. In response, companies providing services through connected products are required not only to manage connectivity and devices efficiently, but also to operate their services reliably while implementing security measures that protect communications pathways.

Pro has connectivity management functions for companies operating large-scale IoT businesses. It supports the entire lifecycle of IoT services, from streamlining SIM activation and initial configuration when deploying large numbers of IoT devices, to managing connectivity and devices distributed across Japan and overseas, as well as facilitating system integration when expanding services. This allows users to achieve stable service delivery and continued business growth while reducing the operational burden, management costs and security risks associated with business expansion.

SIM configuration and activation tasks associated with the shipment and deployment of IoT devices can be streamlined through a portal or APIs. By integrating with users’ systems and automating processes such as SIM activation, suspension and termination, the time and effort required to launch services when deploying large numbers of devices can be reduced.

Users can centrally monitor the status and usage of SIMs and devices deployed in Japan and overseas through a common operational platform. By automating anomaly detection and notifications, as well as processes associated with changes to contracts and configurations, the workload of operations personnel tasked with checking and responding across multiple systems can be reduced.

Integration with security features lets users centrally monitor the operational status of SIMs and devices and security events through a single operational platform. This allows for faster initial responses when anomalies occur.

SIM information and device status can be integrated with business systems and service platforms through APIs. This lets users rapidly provide value-added services, such as remote control and status notifications, while reducing the development burden associated with service expansion.

By visualising communications and device status, users can remotely check conditions and identify the causes of issues when anomalies occur. This enables faster initial responses to failures; it also reduces the amount of work required on-site and helps lower the risk of service interruptions. In addition, integration with the security features enables the detection of unauthorised communications and the blocking of communications on an individual SIM basis, helping reduce the security risks associated with connected products.

Pro will support SGP.32, and is scheduled to be available from March 2027. This will enable users to change communications profiles through a portal or APIs even after IoT devices have been manufactured and shipped. The most suitable communications profile can be applied without manufacturing separate products for each country or region, simplifying global product rollouts by allowing a single product configuration to be used across multiple countries and regions.

In addition, communications service providers can be switched remotely after operations have begun without replacing physical SIMs. This will provide flexibility in making operational changes after service launch and optimising the communications environment.

This service will be formally introduced at next month’s NTT Docomo Business Forum (www.ntt.com/business/go-event.html) in Tokyo.

NTT Docomo Business (www.ntt.com/en/) is a Japanese global ICT provider.