TMCnet Machine to Machine Solutions Week in Review

Machine to Machine (M2M) solutions wirelessly connect millions of diverse devices to a network, enabling two-way communication. Organizations connecting M2M devices to a network can quickly see the potential savings in time, cost and labor. Transmitting information wirelessly at its source - from a vehicle, instrument, house or business - and receiving valuable feedback not only automates manual processes but helps to streamline service provisioning and billing. Each week, the headlines are abuzz with machine to machine news. Here are the top stories from the industry this week.

AT&T (News - Alert) has about 13.7 million M2M devices in play and certifies a total of 5,000 types of devices on its network, and is expanding its role in the M2M sector. Now, not only will AT&T create custom devices for customers in its device lab, but it will also go hands-on to provide that extra support that customers are after. Customers, AT&T discovered, were unwilling to provide that support themselves. Unwilling to hire people to manage the solutions, or take the calls to support it, or have to upgrade it down the line when conditions on the ground looked to overwhelm an aging solution, they turned to AT&T for more support, and AT&T provided.

In other company news this week, Telit Wireless (News - Alert) Solutions, a provider of machine-to-machine (M2M) modules and services, has received AT&T certification for its full family of HE910 3G and 4G modules. These modules are now certified for use on the carrier's HSPA and HSPA+ wireless network. Apart from having a low profile, low power consumption and advanced connectivity features, the six modules within the HE910 family are ideal for compact, high-bandwidth mobile computing applications that will benefit from the widespread network coverage AT&T offers, say officials with Telit.

The AT&T news doesn’t stop there. Automobile club AAA teamed up with communication giant AT&T to offer its free AAA FindMe GPS Locator service to its members, who also happen to be AT&T customers. Offered as a free membership benefit to AAA drivers, this location-based free service allows AT&T customers and AAA members to instantly share their GPS location with AAA Roadside Assistance, without requiring any special device or download. The service also allows stranded drivers to get help with emergencies, even if they aren't exactly sure what street they are on or when they passed the last mile marker.

Recently, AMS selected Numerex to develop and improve its alcohol monitoring products for criminal justice use. Alcohol Monitoring Systems’ (AMS)SCRAMx (News - Alert) is a product that brings together the CAM with house arrest. This avoids the need to strap various devices on an offender, as both technologies are integrated into one device. According to the agreement, Numerex (News - Alert) offered advisory and design services and provided an adjustable M2M turnkey wireless solution for the company. Offering a whole range of wireless network options for M2M network connectivity, the system makes use of Numerex network services.

According to estimations at Machina Research, by 2020 the world will have approximately 2.1 billion cellular M2M connections--and now Ireland will be a part of this world. Telefónica Ireland has made an M2M deal with Jasper Wireless (News - Alert). M2M, or machine-to-machine, is sometimes known as “the internet of things” due to its connecting devices and sensors and communicating data wirelessly. Previous to the deal, Ireland was unable to tap into this “Internet of things,” but now the partnership is bringing the idea to country.

To stay up to date on the latest machine to machine news, trends and resources, visit the Machine to Machine Solutions community on TMCnet each week!