The M2M connection

The machine-to-machine applications market needs a way to communicate, and the communications sector is busy finding different ways to help it. Networked wireless communications: the M2M applications world is gagging for it. There are plenty of communications options in existence, of course; but are they suitable for connecting the wonderful world of cyber-physical systems? Applications and services to vitalise the machine-to-machine (M2M) market are evidenced by the emerging range of devices prefixed with the word `smart', but until comms networks that will enable them to connect to each other are up and running M2M's full potential remains unrealised. However, several initiatives are underway.