M2M Magazine - Carriers Crazy for M2M

Carriers Crazy for M2M

Top cellular network operators have been loudly and proudly stating their intentions to more aggressively serve the M2M (machine-to-machine) marketplace. One almost gets the feeling the carriers are trying to outdo each other in a contest of who’s more M2M. Or at least the news from the past week could give that impression.

T-Mobile, www.t-mobile.com, Bellevue, Wash., announced it had signed an MOU (memorandum of understanding) with Sierra Wireless, www.sierrawireless.com, Richmond, B.C. T-Mobile says the collaboration is expected to lead to joint solution offerings for the M2M space. The agreement is targeted at the European M2M market with an initial focus in Germany, according to the companies.

Under the MOU, the companies will share product development, marketing, sales, and deployment of M2M solutions and related services, with a few key objectives outlined as well. These objectives include: to develop a shared M2M market sub-segmentation; to identify target customers, with particular focus on the automotive, fleet, navigation, utility, and security markets; to develop a joint M2M solution offering; and to assess the possibility to ship Sierra Wireless products with pre-loaded T-Mobile subscriptions.

Not to be left out, Sprint, www.sprint.com/wholesale/m2m.shtml, Reston, Va., also had an M2M announcement this week. The network operator says it is working with M2M DataSmart, www.m2mdatasmart.com, Del Mar, Calif., a wireless data service provider. Sprint says the partnership is designed to make it easier for companies to get their embedded wireless devices running on Sprint’s network.

The two companies are positioning themselves as a “one-stop-shop” for M2M solutions. While Sprint provides its mobile broadband network, M2M DataSmart offers services to aid in embedding wireless into devices and applications. Specifically, M2M DataSmart says it provides test accounts, certification assistance, and application engineering.

A number of M2M devices already use Sprint for connectivity, notably Amazon’s Kindle ereader. Sprint’s Open Device Initiative has certified more than 300 non-Sprint branded devices to run on Sprint’s network, and the company says the new partnership will only increase that number.

Finally, AT&T, www.att.com, Dallas, Texas, announced the opening of a new lab dedicated to emerging device certification for consumer electronics and M2M devices.

According to AT&T, the new lab will serve as the hub for testing network compatibility, data performance, and audio quality for such consumer-related devices as netbooks, ereaders, and portable navigation devices. The lab will also provide such services to non-consumer M2M products for such industries as utility and healthcare, among others.

With cellular carriers devoting so much attention to M2M, it would seem that M2M solution providers should have a number of options for connectivity. Time will tell if the increased competition will help make M2M applications more affordable to bring to market.

The original article can be found HERE