Spectrum to Unlash Machine‐to‐Machine Uptake

Machine‐to‐machine (M2M) technologies are expected to provide the underlying connectivity in the emerging Internet of things (IoT). Various industries have recognized the importance of designing reliable, ubiquitous, and seamless connectivity technologies with very different success to date. While most emphasis has been placed on technologies that operate in the ISM bands, such as Zigbee, low‐power Wi‐Fi, and low‐power wide area network, we argue that the most favourable conditions for industry‐compliant M2M market can be found in the licensed bands. However, supports from regulators on the TV white space (TVWS) spectrum for license exempt use could potentially unlash the M2M uptake. To this end, in this chapter, we give a detailed overview of available M2M technologies, related standards organizations, as well as regulators. We discuss specific challenges related to M2M and spectrum regulations and usage.