Time for a global M2M platform

At the end of November in Johannesburg, Vodacom from Vodafone Group Plc announced the start of a new M2M initiative called Global Data Service Platform (GDSP). The project is a part of the policy of the group being a global service provider for M2M solutions. GDSP is aimed at international companies and organizations wanting to use automatic and unassisted global communication among various devices.

GDSP is a service that not only allows the transfer of information and communication between devices scattered around the globe, but also enables the user to fully manage and control the whole system. This pioneering solution provides means for users to analyze in detail the flow of information between different points, as well as to control each individual point. The operation of such a network is not complicated - the management, control and analytical tools can be easily accessed by an intuitive graphical interface.

M2M (Machine-to-Machine) technology is based on the ability of devices connected to the network for collecting, processing and exchanging information without human intervention. The development of mobile technology in recent years has made this application area the leader in terms of annual turnover: $ 445 billion. Independent organizations estimate that by the end of 2020 the number of M2M devices in the world will increase by 100%, from 6 to 12 billion. 

 

Businesses interested in M2M technology are logistics companies (fleet and asset management), banks (remote monitoring of subsidiaries, ATMs etc.), healthcare providers (continuous remote monitoring of biological data) and many others. The list of organizations and companies operating in dispersed locations is huge, so Vodafone, anticipating a significant growth of interest in M2M applications, has prepared 5 billion SIM cards to enable wireless communication for compatible devices.

The global growth of M2M applications will translate into an even more dynamic expansion of wireless data services for private customers. Research confirms that many consumers that can use WiFi connectivity choose 3G service. This shows how managed cellular networks are important for secure and reliable communication and data exchange.