According to a recent article featured in the Financial Times, the machine-to-machine (M2M) market is expected to be worth $1.2tn within 15 years, yet the unit cost of some modules has fallen so low they are now viable for a whole new range of applications.

The article explains that one of the main drivers of M2M growth is smart meters for electricity, which the EU wants introduced in 80 per cent of households by 2020. Such monitoring devices will be able to link other communications devices like mobile phones to appliances, enabling more comprehensive control over spending for homeowners.

Another driver of the market that is gaining the attention of organisations worldwide is M2M for fleet optimisation. By gathering data wirelessly, fleet operators can see which of their transport vehicles are underused and which are in need of repair. Gathering data in this way not only provides access to more crucial information in real-time, allowing managers to better organise their fleet, it permits managers to optimise driver behaviour and reduce accidents.

M2M communications modules need to be resilient as they are expected to last for years embedded in machinery and often subjected to extreme temperatures, noise and vibration. Wind turbines, for example, are usually placed in remote locations across the globe and are exposed to all kinds of weather and changes in temperature. Wind turbine assessment is one of the biggest M2M markets that exist today and so the assessment devices must be up to the task – most turbines are monitored for a year, gauging the wind conditions of the area before many more are committed. There’s a lot of work to be done in order to meet renewable energy targets and M2M monitoring is a crucial part of this process.

The M2M market has been around since the early 2000s and due partly to the recent investment of many of the world’s network operators it is growing in popularity and creating revenue opportunities for businesses.

We work extensively in the M2M market and have been doing so for over fifteen years. From utilities to scientific research projects, we aim to provide our customers with an end-to-end solution that addresses all their communications needs.

We partner with the world’s leading wireless technology manufacturers and network operators to bring you the right solutions for your industry. Why not find out how we have integrated the products and services of organisations such as Iridium, Globalstar, EE, Vodafone and others into our powerful solutions portfolio to solve your communications challenge?

There are a plethora of trade shows and conferences dedicated to satellite communications taking place this year. Some have been and gone such as CTIA 2013 which we attended with our partners, Embedded Works, and many others are still to come. What’s clear is that people and organisations all over the world are talking about satellite communications. They are discovering the power of being connected, and by utilising intelligent solutions they’re able to achieve this globally.

People everywhere depend on their smartphones and other such mobile devices. They expect to be able to reach those devices and their favourite applications wherever they go and whatever they do, whether it be sending a data message, making a real-time video call or tracking a cargo shipment – there are indeed many applications for satellite communication. But until recently, moving beyond the reach of traditional mobile phone networks has meant getting to grips with technology that seems unfamiliar.

Wireless Innovation changes that. Our portfolio of powerful solutions help people stay connected wherever they are on the globe. We take amazing products from the world’s leading satellite providers and develop them into end to end solutions to bring extended and enhanced personal communications to people and organisations everywhere. Our products are reliable and our solutions secure. Whether it’s connectivity our customers want or tough equipment designed to survive hostile environments, we bring people and technology together to deliver truly global mobile devices that work anywhere on the surface of the planet.

Why not discover our wide range of satellite products ? You can explore by searching for Manufacturer, Network and Market, making it easier for you to find the right product for your industry. We deliver communications solutions across a wide range of markets and even provide Technical Support, Systems Integration, and Consultancy and Engineering services . Find out how we can keep you connected, everywhere.

According to a recent study conducted by the Wireless Association CTIA, the end of 2012 saw an estimated 326 million wireless subscriber connections. This is all very well, but statistics such as these only provide information about one half of the M2M communications sector – cellular networks. What businesses and other organisations are missing out on is the chance to gain an understanding of the advantages of satellite networks for Wireless M2M.

Traditional consumer wireless devices such as smartphones are used to transmit voice calls and data to other wireless devices, usually with low latency and, provided the subscriber has access to the local cell tower, the signal can be sent at any time. But, this method of voice and data communication is sometimes not the best way to communicate, despite its popularity and widespread diffusion around the world’s towns and cities. If though, a person was not within range of a land-based cell tower, for example, if they were working at sea on a cargo ship or offshore oil and gas platform then the best way to communicate would be by satellite.

One advantage of satellite communication is that you really only need to point a wireless device towards the sky and establish a connection with the satellite. Of course, the nuts and bolts are important, but the concept of satellite communication is that you can be anywhere in the world, and at a great distance from the nearest cell tower, and still be able to make high speed voice calls and send data messages. Moreover, easy set-up mechanisms that allow users to connect via a global fleet of satellites have made communications from remote locations increasingly possible.

Another advantage is that satellite networks are generally not as congested as cellular networks. For some M2M communications devices, this would not be an issue as they send low data rate messages and at fewer intervals than others. However, for high speed voice calls from remote locations, satellite networks eliminate issues such as blocked signals, dead spots and call drops, and ensure quality and secure communications channels.

Whatever an organisation’s communications needs, whether it be data, voice or SMS coverage it is important that they approach a provider that offers the right solution for them. That’s where we can help. We have close relationships with most of the major satellite airtime providers and can offer a wide range of satellite and cellular communications products. What’s more, we work hard to understand the nature of our customers’ challenges and endeavour to provide end-to-end solutions.

Why not contact us to discuss your project requirements?

It’s easy to become lost in the fog when thinking about wireless, how the technology works and how it benefits a vast number of industries and individuals across the globe. It’s a technology that has driven growth of a whole host of new and exciting devices for businesses and consumers and is widely regarded as ‘the next big thing’ – even if a wireless phone for example, is really just a very sophisticated radio. However, it’s only in the past 5 years or so that investment in wireless technology, broadly speaking, has been recognised as a means to revenue growth.

Operators are beginning to invest in ‘M2M’ – many industry analysts are talking about an ‘M2M explosion’ to come very soon. Recent research suggests that there will come a time when the number of ‘things’ on the ‘internet, or the ‘internet of things’ will have grown so much as to warrant global exposure and large investment. Clearly the M2M industry is becoming more attractive and the key to unlocking this potential growth is education and exposure.

Today’s wireless or M2M devices are simply miniature computers. They communicate with one another and use small sensors to collect data, often in real time, which can be turned into meaningful charts and dashboards to help businesses manage their operations and make informed decisions.

An example of an M2M application would be Vessel routing for maritime companies – a tracking device is installed on the fleet which then communicates wirelessly with a central operations base.

Vessel routing systems are not only important for finding a safe passage across the ocean but they also provide valuable real-time information about the progress of a fleet. Fleet managers can then accurately predict departure/arrival times and docking durations and thus conduct operations with a high level of efficiency.

Given that there are hundreds of quality M2M communications solutions in existence, it can often be difficult to choose one that’s right for your business. It can also be a struggle to find a supplier that knows your industry and can manage your communications challenge from start to finish. At Wireless Innovation we don’t just offer wireless connectivity or standalone devices, we provide our customers with end-to-end solutions.

For communications at sea, why not contact us to see how we can keep you connected?

We are delighted to announce that Wireless Innovation will be exhibiting at CTIA 2013 this May in Las Vegas.

We will be joining our value-added wireless technology distributor and integrator partners, Embedded Works, in the M2M zone, engaging with attendees and showcasing our ideas, experiences, and solutions. Our Commercial Director, Jeff Martin, will be present at the event so if you are attending and would like to book a meeting then click on the link here and send us a request. Alternatively, you can come and find us at booth #5940.

CTIA is the event of the year for those serious about wireless. Take a look at the CTIA 2013 website for further details of all the exciting things in store this May 21-23.