Vodafone readies machine-to-machine push

Vodafone today announced a new service platform designed to help companies deploy large-scale wireless machine-to-machine (M2M) projects.

Wireless M2M technology is increasingly being used in applications such as smart metering, connected cars and the remote monitoring of equipment, increasing the likely demand for such services on mobile networks in years to come, according to Vodafone.

The new platform will enable customers to roll out projects on a pan-European scale, the firm said, and to centrally manage M2M deployments to cut costs, complexity and risk.

Vodafone also announced the formation of a global team of experts to build solutions targeted at specific sectors, such as smart metering for utilities firms.

"The market for M2M smart services using intelligent devices is taking off but, in order for it to deliver its true potential, service providers like Vodafone need to provide customers with managed connectivity that is reliable, cost-effective and universal," said Nick Jeffery, chief executive at Vodafone Global Enterprise.

"With our dedicated global M2M service platform and experienced M2M team in place, Vodafone is able to give customers the support they need at a price they can afford so that they can bring innovative propositions to market."

Vodafone sees diversifying into this area as potentially lucrative. The mobile giant quoted figures from analyst firm Berg Insight suggesting that operator revenues for wireless M2M reached €3bn (£2.6bn) last year, and are forecast to reach €8.9bn (£7.7bn) by 2012.