Basic principles of Machine-to-Machine communication and its impact on telecommunications industry

It has been estimated that by the end of 2020 there will be 50 billion connected devices world-wide. Such projections entice the industry to explore and tap a wide range of opportunities that the M2M (Machine-to-Machine) communication concept offers, enabling novel business cases, enhanced workflow efficiency and improved quality of life. It is therefore no surprise that prominent telecommunication association and standardisation bodies such as 3GPP and ETSI are largely involved in providing standards and recommendations in the context of M2M communication. In order to engage in the prospective area of M2M and fully exploit its potential, a thorough understanding of M2M basic architecture and principles is essential. A systematic approach is also necessary in continuously keeping track of current M2M related activities and achievements by industrial parties of various verticals such as automotive, healthcare, transport etc. This paper brings forward an overview of M2M basic architecture and principles, development of standards and proposed requirements, as well as an insight into its current industry adoption accompanied by a selection of specific examples.