Md. Shahinur Rahman*
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Today, mobile operators in developed markets are
actively seeking new avenues for revenue generation since the traditional
sources such as voice are getting saturated. M2M communication is considered as
one such opportunity. It's
now possible for your refrigerator to talk to your stove and your alarm system
to your car, and you could control and run initial machines, systems all on one
network. This is a new networking trend known as machine-to-machine, or M2M.
M2M leverages wireless networking technologies like sensing and MANET (Missings Are Now Equally Treated) to much wider applications leveraging
also the internet.
History:
The origin of M2M communications is cloudy because
of the many different possibilities of its inception. It began around the year
2000, possibly earlier, when cellular technology first began to learn
to connect directly to other computer systems. The year 2009 was important to
the development of M2M technology, both in the U.S., and in Europe. In the United
States, AT&T
and Jasper Wireless entered into
an agreement to both support the creation of M2M devices jointly. In
conjunction, they have stated that they will be trying to further connections
between consumer electronics and M2M wireless
networks, which would create a boost in speed, connectivity, and overall power
of such devices.
M2M: What
does it mean?
M2M stands for
machine-to-machine, mobile-to-machine, or man-to-machine communication.
Generally stated, M2M is the connection and communication among all aspects of
the physical enterprise: knowledge workers, business applications, and remotely
dispersed assets and equipment.
Machine-to-machine (M2M) refers to technologies that allow both wireless and wired systems to
communicate with other devices of the same ability. M2M uses a device
(such as a sensor or meter) to capture an event (such as temperature,
inventory level, etc.), which is relayed through a network (wireless,
wired or hybrid) to an application (software
program), that translates the captured event into meaningful information
(for example, items need to be restocked). Such communication was originally
accomplished by having a remote network of machines relay information back to a
central hub for analysis, which would then be rerouted into a system like a
personal computer.
Simple Architecture of M2M
M2M
communication is the data flow among people, devices, and systems. The data
will be interpreted as information for remote control and monitoring. Three
basic elements for M2M are:
- Embedded Processor for storing
data.
- Communication Technology for transfer
of data.
- Management Applications for
monitoring and control.
A
machine can be defined as anything with mechanical, electrical, electronic, or
environmental properties. Examples include manufacturing machinery,
refrigeration systems, telecommunications equipment, server cabinets, data
centers, HVAC systems, storage tanks, and security equipment. Industry-specific
assets like utility equipment, natural gas compressors and pipelines, traffic
management systems, and restaurant and convenience store equipment can also be
considered machines in the context of M2M.
* Divisional Engineer Phones,
Basabo, Khilgaon, BTCL, Dhaka.
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Figure-1: Simple Architecture of M2M
Modern
machines increasingly contain computers that stores information. They may also
have inbuilt radios to transmit/retrieve information that helps efficient and
safer automatic operation of home/industrial/business/medical processes. The
information can important for operator to act on it accordingly. Even if
machines do not contain computers, they can be attached with sensor radio
devices to provide physical information. Moreover, the devices may happen to be
out of range of each other and there will be a need to route the information
i.e. both point to point and point to multi-point communication is necessary for M2M.
In
recent years, SMS has
become an increasingly important transmission mechanism for M2M communication,
with the ubiquity of GSM
and the relatively low cost of SMS being cited as advantages. Concerns have
been raised over the reliability of SMS as an M2M channel, however the rise of
direct Signaling System 7 (SS7) connected SMS
gateways, which can offer increased reliability and the ability to confirm
delivery, have allayed many of these fears.
M2M
Value Network
Value generation for an
M2M solution is only possible with the confluence of multiple industries and
their respective players. Hence, a value network approach would enable us to capture the reality in an M2M business. Figure-2 provides an
overview of all the roles involved in an M2M business. The roles are described
as follows:
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Figure-2: M2M value Network
• The end-user for the
M2M application can be either a business
firm or a consumer. These roles don’t have a major influence on the value network
as they are mainly involved in the consumption of the service. However, one
possible way of their influencing the net is in terms of the demand. Changes in
demand would lead to different configurations among other players in the
network, in order to generate economically viable business
models.
• Service
operator provides the basic M2M service to the
end-user. The service operator works in tandem with the network operator to
provide M2M services. The service operator has a direct relationship with the
end-user.
• Network operator provides
the basic
Communication transport network service to
the service
operator.• Application
provider develops M2M value-added services for a
service operator to be consumed by the end-user.
• Equipment
vendor:
Ø
End-user
equipment vendor provides M2M-enabled equipments. A player
having this role would typically work with the systems integrator.
Ø
Mobile
equipment vendor provides the necessary mobile
infrastructure such as GSM-based modules for M2M communications. A player
having this role works in cooperation with the network operator.
• System
integrator plays a major role in providing an
end-to-end M2M solution. A player with this role would work together with the
network operator,
end-user and equipment vendors.
A player can assume one or more of these
roles according to the business model. Assuming more than one role could
provide additional power in the value network. For instance, a network operator
can act as a service operator and systems integrator in order to get greater
control over the value network.
M2M
in Everyday Life: The
Internet is now staple in everyday consumer life, enabling people to connect
and share information with other people, and to stay connected to the world.
Web-enabled devices (cellular phones, PDA’s, mini-computers, etc.) and
communications services are introduced everyday that go beyond people-to-people
connections to connect businesses, healthcare providers and others with
individual consumers. They aren’t simply connecting with people. They are
providing “smart consumer services” that ultimately improve and enhance individual
quality of life. They enable consumers to protect and better manage their
homes, cars, and other personal effects. They help them improve and maintain
the condition of their health. And they provide conveniences never before
dreamed of.
M2M Applications:
Automotive
- Improved
tire safety via tire pressure monitoring (TPM) - information is
transmitted from auto tires to the auto computer that alerts owner.
- Improved
auto performance via in-car computer reporting operating condition data
that tracks performance that notifies and coordinate warranty services and
routine maintenance.
- Reduced loss of auto via global
positioning systems (GPS) that enable smart consumer services such as Vehicle location via
SMS/Web, Nearest vehicle trace, Engine status, Movement status
(standby/running), Hijack Vehicle Detection and Anti-theft system.
- Lifestyle conveniences such as keyless
entry for locking/unlocking doors and trunks, remote engine ignition, and
anti-frost systems, "NO-GO" area,,Speed violation alert,
Healthcare & Sports
- Decreased
recovery time and lowered health care costs via remote patient monitoring
and management outpatient services
- Improved
qualify of life via pacemaker, insulin pumps, heart-related monitors,
medical alert pendants, hearing aids, and other health-critical monitoring
devices and services that are not only tied to managed care services, but
also to emergency alert and messaging services to notify of device failure
and patient incapacity
- Lifestyle
conveniences such as wireless heart-rate monitors, time/distance/speed
monitors and receivers that transmit sport and exercise performance data
to manage on-going fitness programs
Home Automation & Control
- Improved
security via home security systems that monitor and detect dangerous
conditions from fire and other hazards, and intruders
- Preserve
energy through lighting, thermostat, irrigation and utility systems that
not only enable remote controls, but also monitor operating condition of
A/C units, pools, water heaters, and more in real time to detect potential
over-consumption of utilities as well as forewarning potential failure
- Lifestyle
conveniences that include wireless speakers, entertainment controls,
computer devices such as wireless keyboards, mouse’s, headsets, wireless
game controllers
M2M in Public
Services
Public services
organizations are implementing M2M solutions to help them offer services and
works within the most effective and sustainable use of both their natural
resources available and their services infrastructures. Original equipment
manufacturers (OEMs) and solutions providers have begun providing wireless
networking-enhanced products to public services organizations along with “smart
services” to help them achieve their cost and resource conservation goals.
As a services
provider, the pubic services organizations themselves have extended the M2M
capabilities to their constituents and have begun providing “smart services” as
well. Smart services offered by public services organizations ultimately
improve and enhance individual quality of life while improving quality of life
collectively for the communities they serve.
Water, Electricity,
and Gas
- Reduced
overall costs and improved accuracy of collecting utility usage
information for billing purposes through automatic meter reading (AMR) --
the remote collection of consumption data from electric, water and gas
meters -- using wireless communications
- Improved
conservation via “time-of-use” metering / billing that ties pricing of
power and water consumed based on time-of-day and adherence to usage
allocations
Homeland security
- Improved
security in ports and transit systems via cargo container security systems
and services that identify contents and monitor conditions of containers.
- Secure
public infrastructure (water, power and fuel supply chains) via asset
tracking and monitoring using GPS / satellite and radio communications
with ability for remote control monitor real-time conditions.
Prospects of M2M in Bangladesh
At present, In our country the total number of
Mobile Phone Active Subscribers has reached 89.457 million3
at the end of March
2012, the total number of PSTN Phone Subscribers has reached 1028.19 thousand3 at the end of May 2010 and the Internet
subscribers has reached 31140.8043 thousand (mobile internet
29609.497 + PSTN 1208.000 + WiMAX 323.307) at the end of February 2012. However we stand on a low level of internet diffusion. The latest
statistics revealed that internet penetration for PSTN is only 0.8 percent8 in Bangladesh Bangladesh Bangladesh
Conclusion: Maturity in
voice revenues and advancement in the mobile technologies have motivated
operators to look at possibilities of providing value-added data services. In
this regard, M2M services have attracted much attention recently from the
mobile operators in Bangladesh
• Mobile operators need to interact and cooperate
with industry players outside the mobile realm in order to provide innovative,
cost-efficient and revenue generating M2M solutions. This would mean new
relationships in the value network, which is no longer, same as visible in the mainstream
mobile market.
• Major operators can gain greater control of the
value network due to their financial power. However, smaller operators can also
play a major role as service operators. There are numerous forecasts predicting
an enormous increase in the number of M2M-enabled devices and an increase in
the M2M-related revenue generation.
