TORONTO – An international alliance of mobile operators has unveiled a plan to simplify and promote the adoption of machine-to-machine (M2M) communications worldwide.
The M2M World Alliance, which is comprised of Rogers, Etisalat, KPN, NTT DOCOMO, SingTel, Telefonica, Telstra and VimpelCom, said Tuesday that it will leverage the operators' combined global presence to benefit customers who are looking for regional or global M2M deployments. The solution also enables companies to enjoy connectivity throughout the Alliance coverage area with in-market rates; easier compliance with local market regulations; and the potential for multinationals to provide global technical support from a single market.
M2M communications are used when machines – a broad term for equipment used in all sorts of industries, including consumer electronics, utilities, agriculture and construction – connect and exchange information with information technology infrastructure. It is considered by many as the latest stage in the internet's evolution: when cyberspace reaches beyond the traditional confines of computers to connect to any device with a microprocessor.
Major growth areas identified by the M2M World Alliance for its global solution include connected cars, fleet management, smart meters, consumer electronics, game consoles, wearable electronics, telehealth and security solutions.
"We believe that our unique and seamless solution will drive rapid growth in the adoption of M2M communications worldwide by giving our customers the ability to operate connected devices globally at a reduced cost," said alliance chairman Angel David Garcia Barrio, in the announcement. "With operations in more than 60 countries, the Alliance's global footprint presents multinational organizations with a seamless approach to deploying connected devices in multiple countries at one time."
