Company continues its expansion from connectivity provider to application enabler with the launch of its Application Marketplace.

Jason Meyers, Executive Editor

September 9, 2014

2 Min Read
RacoWireless Opens App Store for the IoT

LAS VEGAS -- Super Mobility Week -- RacoWireless has signaled a further dive into the application side of the Internet of Things (IoT) with the unveiling of an app store designed to complement the company's recently introduced developer environment.

RacoWireless launched the new venture, called Application Marketplace, at CTIA 's Super Mobility Week event, where the developing IoT and apps for connected homes, cars and anything else the industry can think of are popular topics.

Raco's app store comes on the heels of its introduction of the Omega DevCloud, which provides a cloud-based API that developers can use to create IoT applications in any format, for any device. Raco's aim is to help startups foster development of IoT apps, then usher developers through the process of pushing them to the company's existing market of 1,300 customers. (See Raco Aims to Eliminate Need for IoT Standards.)

"Now that they have an app, they can come to us and we can create a business model for them," says John Horn, president of RacoWireless. That might mean revenue share or a pay-per-use model for Raco, he says, in exchange for Raco providing the development environment and exposing the app to its customer base.

For comprehensive coverage of the Internet of Things, check out Light Reading's dedicated IoT content channel

Raco's expansion from M2M/IoT connectivity provider -- the company was spun out of T-Mobile US Inc. in 2011 and provides connectivity as an MVNO leveraging several networks -- started with last year's acquisition of GPS application developer Position Logic. But Horn says the company will avoid offering IoT apps directly, preferring to be the connection between developers and the entities serving the end user marketplace. (See RACO Uses M&A to Beef Up Its M2M Play)

"We're much more involved, but as a white label partner in the background -- providing powerful solutions but not competing for end users," Horn says.

— Jason Meyers, Senior Editor, Utility Communications/IoT, Light Reading

About the Author(s)

Jason Meyers

Executive Editor

Jason Meyers joined the editorial staff of Light Reading in 2014 with more than 20 years of experience covering a broad range of business sectors. He is responsible for tracking and reporting on developments in the Internet of Things (IoT), Gigabit Cities and utility communications areas. He previously was Executive Editor of Entrepreneur magazine, overseeing all editorial operations, assignments and editorial staff for the monthly business publication. Prior to that, Meyers spent 15 years on the editorial staff of the former Telephony magazine, including eight years as Editor in Chief.

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