AT&T Talks Up Smart Cities, Connected Cars During CES 2016

While other companies took the opportunity to promote their latest tech products and services during this year’s Consumer Electronics Show held in the city of Las Vegas in Nevada, AT&T looked to the future instead, talking about smart cities, connected cars, and glucose monitors that could turn into a reality in the next few years.

During its presentation to developers at the annual CES 2016, the second biggest wireless carrier in the United States discussed the potential of connecting 132 million mobile users and 45 million consumers of video content. Of course, this can be achieved not only through standard wireless means but by establishing a true Internet of Things wireless environment.

In his keynote address, Ralph de la Vega, chief executive officer of AT&T Mobile and Business Solutions, declared that AT&T is fast evolving into something more expansive than ever before. And the evolution revolves around the idea of the Internet of Things, wherein everyday devices and objects are designed to be connected to each other in order to better empower wireless customers everywhere. Of course, AT&T aims to be the fabric that connects everything.

AT&T’s timing is just about perfect. Most industry watchers agree that the Internet of Things is the next big thing, and it might achieve a breakthrough in 2016. As a matter of fact, the Consumer Technology Association has stated that the Internet of Things will make $287 billion in retail sales this year, especially now that electronics giants such as Samsung and LG are beginning to introduce connect-ready devices for homes and even automobiles. And it is not just tech companies -- even business entities such as Red Bull are designing coolers that can be controlled and managed through wireless means, and is even planning to partner with AT&T in connecting 200,000 coolers in the United States soon.

AT&T is now clearly thinking beyond the traditional range of wireless services. Indeed, the future will not just be about smartphones and tablets, but so much, much more. The wireless carrier is even exploring the possibility of turning a truly smart city into a reality. In fact, AT&T is already collaborating with a list of partners that include Cisco Systems, Ericsson, Deloitte, General Electric, IBM, Intel, and Qualcomm in finding ways to incorporate smart devices and infrastructure into streets, buildings, and other parts of the metro architecture. 

The wireless carrier has also revealed that it has plans to connect over 10 million Ford automobiles by 2020. Specifically, AT&T is planning to power Ford Sync Connect, which will let mobile users remotely lock their car doors or start their vehicle’s engine and view car info such as fuel status, battery power, or tire pressure.

Lastly, AT&T will be establishing a research foundry in the Texas Medical Center Innovation Institute in the city of Houston. The goal is to get mew health services to market quicker. Case in point: the YOFiMeter -- this is a glucose monitor that will let diabetic patients wirelessly send their blood sugar levels and other biometric information to their respective doctors.