--- title: "Built to last: More choice for long-life IoT" url: "https://cradlepoint.ericsson.com/blog/built-to-last-more-choice-for-long-life-iot/" description: "Explore Ericsson Lifetime Local Device Access for IoT, an upfront licensing option designed for long-life deployments and projects with capital funding requirements." content_type: "blog_post" published: "2026-11-10" authors: - "Joel Bach" tags: - "Connectivity for IoT" breadcrumb: "[Home](https://cradlepoint.ericsson.com/) › [Blog](https://cradlepoint.ericsson.com/blog/) › Built to last: More choice for long-life IoT" gated: false --- # Built to last: More choice for long-life IoT *By Joel Bach · 2026-11-10* ![AI_generated_connected_industrial_field_1200x675.jpg](https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blt2588e757607604a2/blt810753f8e9203d30/6af6499367642b724b279ce5/AI_generated_remote_utility_field_operations_web.jpg) ## Flexible purchasing options help organizations align Ericsson IoT deployments with how their projects are funded IoT deployments are often designed to operate for years. Whether connecting a kiosk, traffic cabinet, digital sign, or remote monitoring station, organizations need a service model that supports their deployment throughout its lifecycle, along with a purchasing approach that fits how the project is funded. For most organizations, Ericsson subscription services remain the preferred choice, providing the greatest ongoing value and flexibility. Subscriptions combine centralized cloud management with software updates, technical support, training and certifications, and warranty coverage, helping organizations manage and support distributed IoT deployments throughout the subscription term. They also provide the flexibility to spread costs across the project lifecycle rather than funding service coverage entirely upfront. But not every IoT project is funded or operated the same way. Public-sector organizations and other companies may have capital or project funding available upfront and expect their IoT deployments to remain in service for many years. For these scenarios, Ericsson now offers **Lifetime Local Device Access for IoT**, an additional licensing option that allows organizations to purchase service coverage upfront with new eligible Ericsson IoT devices. The offer is specifically positioned for net new long-life deployments and projects where funding is required upfront. ### Two ways to fund your IoT deployment Organizations can choose the purchasing model that best aligns with their operational and financial requirements. **IoT subscription services** offer term-based coverage (3 or 5 years) and remain the preferred choice for customers seeking the full value and flexibility of an ongoing service relationship, including centralized cloud management with Ericsson NetCloud, software updates, 24/7 technical support, training and certifications, and warranty coverage. It balances costs across the project’s lifecycle and is well suited to organizations with more frequent refresh cycles. **Device Lifetime Local Access for IoT** is designed for long-life IoT projects where it is desirable to purchase service coverage upfront. The service coverage remains the same as above and is supported through the product's published Last Date of Support, subject to applicable offer terms. However, as an added benefit, once the service coverage ends, local device access remains. ### Purchase once. Manage through the supported lifecycle. Keep local access afterward. With the Lifetime Local Device Access for IoT licensing and commercial offer, during the product's supported lifecycle, organizations receive NetCloud Manager access, NCOS updates, technical support, and hardware warranty through the published Last Date of Support. No recurring renewal event is required for this coverage. At the product's published Last Date of Support, NetCloud Manager access, software and security updates, technical support, hardware warranty, and other expiring service entitlements end. Local device management, however, remains available while the device continues to operate. For devices that meet an organization's operational and security requirements, continued local management provides additional flexibility when planning a hardware refresh. Figure 1: Lifetime Local Device Access for IoT Importantly, **“lifetime” refers specifically to continued local device management access.** It does not mean lifetime cloud services, software or security updates, technical support, or warranty coverage. Cellular connectivity after the Last Date of Support also cannot be guaranteed because network compatibility depends on factors including the device, modem, carrier infrastructure, and carrier policies. ### Choose the model that fits your project There is no single purchasing model that fits every IoT deployment. For organizations seeking the **greatest ongoing service value and flexibility**, NetCloud subscriptions remain the preferred choice. For **long-life, upfront-funded projects**, Device Lifetime Local Access for IoT provides an additional option that aligns service coverage with the initial project investment while providing cloud management and lifecycle services through the product's supported life, followed by continued local device management. This gives customers and partners greater flexibility to align **how IoT is purchased with how each project is funded and operated.** Planning your next IoT deployment? [Talk with your Ericsson representative](https://cradlepoint.ericsson.com/about/contact-us/) or authorized partner about eligible devices, pricing, service tiers and lifecycle terms to determine the purchasing model that best fits your operational and financial requirements.