Mobile operators may dream of running the internet of things (IoT) entirely on their LTE networks, generating new revenues from their 4G spectrum, but the real picture will be far more fragmented. The M2M market from which IoT springs has always relied heavily on dedicated networks, providing security and specific functionality for individual verticals, and often run by the industrial groups themselves. That thinking is behind growing interest in building specialist, optimized networks to carry IoT services, using ‘ultra-narrowband’ (UNB) technology. Sigfox has used this technology, in unlicensed bands, to create a dedicated IoT network in France, and is now partnering with UK telco infrastructure company Arqiva to extend its model across the Channel. Arqiva says this will provide ‘nationwide…