Bluetooth to improve speed, range for IoT

Bluetooth is due for an upgrade in 2016 and much of the focus is on the functionality of the Internet of Things. Bluetooth Special Interest Group has announced that enhancements will be done by expanding its wireless technology’s range, increasing speed and supporting mesh networking. Bluetooth is hoping that concentrating on these areas will help give the technology an edge in smart homes and infrastructure, industrial automation and location-based services.

Bluetooth is already set to play a large role in the future of “connected” devices. According to a recent report from DBS Bank, most IoT connections will go through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, with very few using cellular connections. DBS estimates that IoT connectivity will be responsible for less than 12.3 percent of services revenue generated by the IoT industry, and that such connectivity services will be account for less than 3 percent of revenue for telecom companies. The pitfalls of cellular wireless coverage for IoT devices are clear. Radios connecting to 3G and 4G networks eat up a lot of power. Even Wi-Fi connections generally use more power than Bluetooth. In this respect, Bluetooth is very well-suited for the smart home future.

According to Bluetooth SIG, its planned improvements will not increase power consumption, and that the technology’s speed and range will be doubled and quadrupled, respectively. Mesh networking support will also be instrumental for IoT functionality, as it will allow Bluetooth devices to connect to each other through a home network. These improvements will make support for the latest Bluetooth technology critical for many connected devices.