AT&T and Microsoft are streamlining cloud connectivity for IoT devices worldwide. Combining AT&T’s global cellular network and Microsoft Azure Sphere should enable secured and effortless deployment of the IoT worldwide.

The two companies are teaming up to enable enterprises to connect machines and equipment seamlessly to the cloud with highly secure network connectivity across the globe. As part of the effort, AT&T is working with Microsoft to deliver an integrated IoT offering with Azure Sphere.

This AT&T powered guardian device with Azure Sphere should help businesses transform their operations quickly through massive IoT deployments at scale.

The AT&T powered guardian device is the latest example of how the two companies are working together through a strategic alliance to improve how people live and work today and in the future.

The latest development combines the secured architecture of Azure Sphere, a comprehensive IoT security offering including hardware, OS and cloud services, with Azure IoT services and the global and multi-layered security of AT&T’s core network.

The AT&T global SIM enables connectivity in more than 200 countries across 500 carriers. AT&T offers managed services to support day-to-day operations. The guardian device is easy to install and provides an end-to-end way to connect machines and equipment to the cloud, bypassing the need for public internet.

It provides fast and highly secure activation right out of the box, enabling enterprises to connect existing equipment easily to the cloud and to Azure IoT Central. With this, a wide variety of industries can rapidly deploy IoT applications relying on the combined security benefits of the AT&T cellular network with Azure Sphere device security.

Think of fast-food outlets, coffee shops, elevators, hospitals, manufacturing plants and the ability to retrofit existing equipment into smart devices that are digitally enabled through highly secure cellular connections. Users can connect their devices and machines to their own cloud environment without the need to connect to wifi through a third-party network connection that may not meet their security standards.

“Our work with AT&T is a prime example of how the convergence of secure cloud computing and network technology helps businesses unlock new customer value and continuously simplify every aspect of our personal and professional lives,” said Corey Sanders, corporate vice president at Microsoft.

AT&T and Microsoft launched their multi-year alliance last year.

“AT&T and Microsoft share the belief that technology should serve people,” said Mo Katibeh, executive vice president at AT&T Business. “Working with Microsoft we can offer a truly global solution with strong security and data insights that can help a broad array of industries simplify operations, manage costs and become more agile in any market.”

One area of focus is aimed at enabling 5G, cloud and edge computing to drive enterprise capabilities for companies around the world.