Verizon and GE to Expand the Reach and Strength of Industrial Internet

NEW YORK, Oct. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- General Electric and Verizon today announced plans to expand the reach and strength of the Industrial Internet. The companies have teamed up to allow GE's software-enabled machines and devices to connect to Verizon's machine-to-machine connectivity and cloud platforms to create a secure wireless communications system for the Industrial Internet. The announcement was made at GE's Minds + Machines conference in New York.

The GE/Verizon alliance is poised to deliver a range of value-added services for GE's Predix™ platform, including remote monitoring, diagnostics and the ability to resolve maintenance issues virtually anywhere in the world. GE and Verizon will also enter into discussions to collaborate on a single global SIM (subscriber identity module) for global connectivity.

"The potential for transforming industries -- including rail, aviation, energy and healthcare, as well as society as we know it — is tremendous, and yet the Internet of Things is a nascent, complex and fragmented market," said Mark Bartolomeo, head of IoT Connected Solutions at Verizon. "Driving adoption requires broadening alliances across the ecosystem. We look forward to using the power of our network and cloud platforms to enhance our long-standing relationship with GE so that together we can create new business models across the Industrial Internet to meet the increasingly complex demands of customers."

"The rise of the Industrial Internet is taking place through the convergence of advanced computing, analytics, sensors and new levels of connectivity," said Bill Ruh, vice president and corporate officer, GE Software. "As the center of today's connected world, Verizon is not only an enabler, but an essential catalyst for delivering compelling solutions for the Industrial Internet that will drive business and societal innovation."

Verizon operates the nation's most reliable 4G LTE network and one of the most connected IP networks in the world. As a forerunner for its next-generation enterprise-grade cloud platform and recognized leader for its managed cybersecurity services, Verizon empowers industries, institutions and communities to transform the way they work – unlocking new opportunities in the global economy.

About GE 
GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and helping to cure the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.  

About GE Software
GE Software connects streams of machine data to powerful analytics, providing Industrial companies with valuable insights to manage assets and operations more efficiently. World-class talent and software capabilities driving big gains in productivity, availability and longevity. For more information, visit the website at www.gesoftware.com.

About Verizon
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq:  VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with 104.6 million retail connections nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries. A Dow 30 company with more than $120 billion in 2013 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of 177,800. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

SOURCE Verizon; General Electric