M2M Communications: A Systems Approach

Foreword

It was with great pleasure that I accepted the invitation to write the foreword for this first of two books on M2M and Internet of Things, M2M Communications: A Systems Approach.

Although the market for Machine to Machine (M2M) devices and applications is still developing, we can already foresee that this technology will have a profound impact on our lives, as new application fields are explored. Numerous projections have been made for the growth of M2M: for example estimates include an increase from the current 6 billion cellular devices to eventually over 50 billion cellular-connected machines. Other estimates indicate the total market volume from M2M and Internet of Things reaching $11.5bn by 2012. Indeed the M2M market can already be segmented in numerous ways: distinguishing between hardware devices and software, between connection technologies, or according to specific industrial application segment.

Why are M2M markets taking off now, since many of the technologies used have existed for a number of years? A key factor in the growth of M2M today is the widespread availability of ubiquitous, low-cost connectivity. We have become used to cheap, high-speed home and business internet access. Now in many regions 3G and future LTE mobile networks offer similar access speeds at highly competitive prices. Suddenly a host of applications we have dreamt about and which require internet connectivity have become economically viable.

The large-scale deployment of IP-connected ...