NTT DoCoMo, SingTel, Telstra, KPN, Telefonica (through its Telefonica Digital unit), Rogers and Vimpelcom have entered into an alliance to cooperate globally with respect to their M2M businesses.
The initiative, which is open to other operators, is expected to help operators address the complex and fragmented nature of the M2M market.
The global alliance covers technological cooperation to enable a global solution for the provision of communications to multinational customers requiring M2M connectivity.
It also covers the provision of a global product featuring a unique SIM, and a united web interface and centralized management of status and usage of M2M devices globally, via the Jasper Wireless Control Center.
The participating operators said they expect the alliance to result in cost reduction and an improved user experience.
They are seeking to boost M2M communications across a number of distinct high-potential industries, such as consumer electronics, automotive, energy efficiency, etc., enabling the development of new business models, the creation of new products and services and a reduction in operational costs for these target industries, the operators added.
The alliance is the latest carrier partnerships target specifically for the M2M market. Other high-profile carrier collaborations include the strategic alliance between Vodafone and Verizon, and the M2M Service Alliance between Deutsche Telekom, France Telecom, TeliaSonera, Everything Everywhere and Sprint.
Jamie Moss, senior Analyst at Informa Telecoms & Media, said the formation of the alliance has the right focus on creating a “ubiquity of coverage and seamless continuity” environment - which is vital to drive scale of M2M, opportunity lies in long-term contracts that expand over time.