‘Z-wave’ is emerging as a key wireless technology for the home Internet of things (IoT) services. As Z-wave offers higher radio wave efficiency than Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Zigbee and facilitates the securing of interoperability between terminals, the number of global common carriers and service providers opting for Z-wave as a key IoT solution is increasing.

According to the communications industry on the 29^th, SK Telecom and LGU+ recently joined ‘Z-wave Alliance.” Accordingly, the level of interest in Z-wave is heightening. In particular, LGU+ was selected as a Z-wave Alliance BOD member as the first Asian company, and thus is evaluated to have increased Korea’s voice in the related technological standard establishment.

Z-wave, a wireless communication protocol developed by a Danish software company Zensys in 2003, has emerged as a key home IoT technology in ten years. Global companies, such as Verizon, AT&T and Orange (France), are introducing Z-wave as their wireless control solution one after another.

Using a 900MHz band, Z-wave produces an excellent refractive index as a characteristic of low frequency, and thus provides a longer radio wave distance than Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. While the average Wi-Fi power consumption is 100mW, Z-wave consumes less than 100mW. As for Zigbee, a competitive technology, the development is limited as a result of radio wave interference with Wi-Fi because it uses a 2.4GHz band.

From common carriers, LGU+ is most active in the Z-wave based IoT service development. This company has applied Z-wave to the recently released ‘U+ Gas Lock’ service. The basis for various home IoT services to be released next year is also Z-wave.

“Z-wave is an industry-leading wireless home control technology,” said a LGU+ source. “It will lead innovation continuously for not only the users, but also the service providers, equipment makers and distributors.” ♦