Mobile communications will grow from strength to strength in the coming years, and one of the key focus areas in 2014 will be machine-to-machine (M2M) communications.
This is according to Derick Roberts, CEO of mobile communications specialist Truteq Devices, who says: “Up to 75% of mobile network operators (MNO) will offer M2M during 2014. There is going to be a tremendous focus in this arena and companies need to be aware of this – and take advantage of it.”
According to Frost & Sullivan, MNOs will be refocusing their business models to take advantage of their position in the communications value chain.
Adrian Drozd, a research director with Frost & Sullivan confirms that up to 75% of MNOs will offer M2M during 2014.
According to some of Frost & Sullivan’s forecasts is the predication that 2014 will also be the year when the focus of both IT buyers and providers shifts to the Internet of Things (IoT). The explosion of IoT activity in 2014 and beyond will be accelerated thanks to low cost sensors, connectivity networks, cloud computing, advanced data analytics and mobility.
Frost & Sullivan notes that the first issues that MNOs will address will be around reliable connectivity and enterprise grade cloud computing services. Without reliability and performance qualities, IoT adoptions will be disappointing and affect the overall pace of development.
Commenting further on the growth of M2M, Roberts says:“M2M communications is definitely at the core of mobile communications and this is going to open a lot of doors for companies.
“The real advantage of M2M is that it is a technology that allows both wireless and wired systems to communicate with other devices of the same type. M2M was originally used primarily for automation and instrumentation. But, increasingly, it has expanded its applications and, today, can offer a much wider range of applications – which now fall under the basket of telematics applications.
“This has not only improved communications, but it has provided a far larger array of applications that will allow companies to expand their products and services significantly.”