MWC 2010: Vodafone and Verizon hook up to push M2M

Vodafone believes M2M technology is vital in delivering customised services

Vodafone, Verizon Wireless and nPhase today announced a strategic alliance designed to drive the growth of machine-to-machine (M2M) deployments in business markets.

The companies hope that simplifying the remote management and monitoring of devices on networks in the European and US markets will further accelerate take up.

Erik Brenneis, global head of M2M at Vodafone, added that M2M technology is playing an increasing role in helping companies deliver customised services, and that issues that could hamper its growth should be addressed now.

"The difficulty of managing M2M devices on a global level was stopping the sector from realising its true potential. But with this alliance we are making it even easier for firms to roll out M2M technology to their customers, wherever they are," he said.

The initiative offers several benefits, according to the group, including making it easier for Verizon Wireless and Vodafone customers to activate, monitor and pay for devices deployed across European and US networks.

It will offer a single point of contact for provisioning devices connected to Verizon Wireless and Vodafone networks, and will enable firms to centrally manage and control the roll-out of M2M devices in many countries.

M2M technology is set to become a key area, according to Swedish analyst firm Berg Insight, which forecast that industry-wide operator revenues for wireless M2M will rise to $12.9bn (£8.22bn) by 2012.