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M2M: Where WiMax Meets Lindsay Lohan
Tim Kridel | Contributing Analyst
The proliferation of machine-to-machine (M2M) technologies and services is shaping a future where people will carry three to five M2M devices each.

This fast-growing market is emerging as a strong revenue opportunity for network operators and technology suppliers alike.
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M2M on the Rise: The Technology Perspective
In developed countries such as Germany, Japan, and the U.S., wireless penetration is well north of 90 percent. In some places, it is above 100 percent, because many people carry more than one wireless device, such as an iPad and a cell phone. Many of these markets also have greenfield operators that are recent arrivals or about to enter, such as with Long Term Evolution (LTE) and WiMax networks. All this adds up to hypercompetition for a finite pool of customers.

The machine-to-machine (M2M) sector spans a wide variety of telematics (where the device is portable or mobile) and telemetry (where the device is stationary) applications and services, including tracking shipping containers, finding lost pets and wandering Alzheimer's patients, utility meter reading, pay-as-you-drive insurance, subprime auto lending, and backhaul for digital signage and video surveillance cameras. These applications add up to a future where each person likely will have three to five M2M devices – if they do not already.

As the field of M2M technologies grows, so do the opportunities for vendors to enter the market and carve out niches. For example, Beceem Communications is a relatively small vendor with a unique chipset that is capable of running on both LTE and WiMax networks. That product could be attractive for telematics applications that require high bandwidth to work best, and for a small company, it makes more sense to target this kind of niche than to go head-to-head with an large incumbent in a crowded segment, such as GPRS.

Although M2M stands for machine-to-machine, this term no longer accurately summarizes this market's scope and opportunities. The definition began expanding in early 2008, shortly after the Amazon Kindle debuted and began posting sales that indicated a mass-market opportunity for e-readers and similar devices, now including the Apple iPad.

Regardless of whether one uses the traditional, narrow definition or the new, broad one, M2M is a major, long-term growth opportunity. This outlook should sound familiar to anyone that has been in this market for the past decade, but what is different this time is that the industry has reached a point where several key success factors are finally in place.

M2M on the Rise: The Technology Perspective identifies and analyzes these and other key issues that affect M2M vendor and end-user technology choices. It discusses the advantages and disadvantages of technologies, such as CDMA2000, GPRS, LTE, private radio, WiFi, and WiMax, in terms of factors such as cost, bandwidth, and coverage. The report also looks at how each technology fits into certain verticals, including asset tracking, utilities, security, digital signage, and health care.

Sample research data from the report is shown in the excerpts below:
Table of Contents (mni0710_toc_2.pdf)
When assessing each technology, it is important to remember that while an embedded module is the most common way to add M2M connectivity, dongle-style devices are another option. The latter design creates opportunities for LTE and WiMax operators to target the M2M market immediately, instead of waiting for vendors to provide compatible modules. When selecting a technology, M2M vendors and/or their customers typically have three main considerations: coverage, cost, and bandwidth. A fourth major concern is emerging: obsolescence. The following excerpt summarizes some of the considerations for the technologies discussed in this report.
[click on the image above for the full excerpt]
Companies discussed in this report include: Alarm.com Inc.; Arcadian Networks Inc.; AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T); AvaLAN Wireless Systems Inc.; Beceem Communications Inc.; Clearwire LLC (Nasdaq: CLWR); Consert Inc.; Cox Communications Inc.; Harbinger Capital Partners LP; iControl Inc.; KORE Telematics Inc.; The MediaTile Company; nPhase LLC; Qualcomm Inc. (Nasdaq: QCOM); Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S); Telit Communications plc; Telstra Corp. Ltd. (ASX: TLS; NZK: TLS); T-Mobile USA Inc.; Verizon Wireless; and Vodafone Group plc.
Total pages: 20
JULY 2010
M2M on the Rise: The Services Perspective
This report examines the M2M market, providing a solution overview, M2M advantages, and industry challenges. It also profiles nine leading vendors in the market, the solutions they provide, and their competitors in the industry.
READ SUMMARY
Including table of contents, executive summary, and financial metrics
MAY 2010
Mobile Handsets: It's Not Easy Being Green
This report analyzes the state of "green mobility" and the efforts being made by governments, industry, and corporations to make mobile communications more eco-friendly. The report profiles seven handset makers that have undertaken the eco-friendly charge, examines the extent of their environmental policies, and analyzes their green handset products.
READ SUMMARY
Including table of contents, executive summary, and financial metrics
MARCH 2010
The Business Case Builds for Mobile IP Service Assurance
This report analyzes key issues that affect the mobile IP service assurance market and examines the ways in which service assurance can save money and generate new revenue. The report profiles 17 service assurance vendors, offering insight into which companies are best positioned to remain or emerge as key players.
READ SUMMARY
Including table of contents, executive summary, and financial metrics
AUGUST 2010
M2M Sevices
SEPTEMBER 2010
3G Phone Vendors in China
OCTOBER 2010
Financial and Healthcare Delivery Information over Mobile Platforms
NOVEMBER 2010
LTE and WiMax Smart Antenna Technologies
DECEMBER 2010
Mobile Authentication
* Calendar subject to change
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- Cliff Arellano, President, Com-munications Products, Inc.
CONTRIBUTING ANALYST
Danny Dicks
Danny is an analyst and consultant with over 20 years' experience in technology markets who contributes regularly to Heavy Reading Insider.
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Danny Dicks
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CONTRIBUTING ANALYST
John Blau
A contributor to 4G/LTE Insider, John has nearly 20 years of experience as a journalist covering the telecom sector in Europe and beyond.
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John Blau
CONTACT AUTHOR
ANALYST
Tim Kridel
Tim writes for both Mobile Networks Insider and Cable Industry Insider. He has previously covered the wireless and cable industries for a number of research firms, including Heavy Reading.
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Tim Kridel
CONTACT AUTHOR
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