Machine-to-machine (M2M) communication is offering mobile networks an unrivalled opportunity to dramatically increase their connection figures. At the moment, over 100 million M2M-enabled devices - from vending machines to smoke alarms - are providing information automatically, with mobile networks carrying the majority of this traffic

Jürgen Hase, Vice President of the M2M Competence Center at Deutsche Telekom and Chairman of the M2M Alliance, offers his M2M predictions for 2013.

Middleware layers will speed up development and deployment:
New horizontal middleware layers for M2M will emerge. Placed on top of existing layers such as connectivity and device management, they will provide support for common tasks in all industries – for instance, in setting up heterogenous sensor networks for industrial monitoring. This will accelerate the development and deployment of M2M solutions, while drastically reducing development costs. Huge benefits are expected for both solution developers and adopters.

Big Data:
M2M is about to enter the next evolutionary stage: at the moment we collect data, but the real benefits of M2M will become apparent by analyzing this data. Today, it is already possible to detect attrition in production facilities by analyzing data in real time. Combined with machine learning algorithms, such applications will recognize more and more patterns and allow completely new insights in our businesses.

Alliances:
M2M is not a local based business. In 2013, we will witness a number of strategic alliances, which will shape the future of the M2M market. They will work to overcome a major challenge in the long run: to provide seamless services in all countries. Furthermore, alliances are necessary to improve quality of service and establish M2M communication standards.

Automotive drives M2M in Europe:
In Europe the main driver of M2M adoption will be the automotive industry. The European Union has decided that starting in 2015 all newly registered motor vehicles must be equipped with an eCall emergency call system. Automotive manufacturers will focus on integrating embedded SIMs to comply with this regulation. Furthermore, telematics and connected entertainment services are additional M2M solutions, which will be subject to mass-production.

Health drives M2M in the USA:
Healthcare will be a main driver of M2M in the USA. Using M2M devices, a patient’s state of health can be monitored continuously. A computer checks readings such as blood pressure, pulse or blood sugar level and notifies a doctor or care workers in the event of an emergency. As American health insurances recognize the potential long term savings, they will subsidize a great number of M2M solutions in 2013.