Milton Keynes, UK – GeoSIM, a global SIM card supplier, has pioneered a brand new way to send data across mobile networks with no SMS or GPRS data connection needed.
Its new GeoSIM Global M2M Data System (GeoM2M) promises to transform data delivery thanks to its ability to work independently of traditional networks anywhere in the world. It is not tied to any individual network and data is currently transferrable over more than 560 networks around the world. GeoM2M is set to revolutionise M2M communications by removing the latency, message delivery and connectivity problems inherent in traditional GPRS, 3G or SMS data transfers.
Managing Director, Ed Neal says: “GeoM2M can be used in thousands of applications where machines need to communicate with each other. The system is currently being used in tracking devices, flood alert systems and storage tank level monitoring. Whilst some M2M data communication needs are currently being satisfied using SMS and mobile data, our research has shown that traditional GPRS and 3G data connections are unstable and can be hard to establish, particularly in remote areas. Problems can also occur if the device is located overseas or if the mobile device is using a foreign network on a roaming basis. This means data delivery is not guaranteed and can mean critical communications are delayed or lost.”
“We believe we have truly globalised M2M data transfer by removing all roaming charges. This means the customer has full control of their costs no matter where their device is located in the world.”
GeoSIM’s service only requires a mobile phone signal to operate. It does not need SMS or a mobile data connection. When using GeoM2M, data is transmitted in data packets no longer than SMS text messages. The data is sent from the remote device directly to the customer’s server and takes less than a few seconds, regardless of device location.
GeoM2M uses significantly less power than SMS and GPRS M2M systems, which means devices can be smaller and run for longer if battery powered.
In order to facilitate machine to machine communications, the cutting edge solution makes use of a GeoSIM Global roaming SIM card, removing the reliance on any one network. The global SIM is installed in the remote device or machine giving access to networks around the world, the remote device is programmed to the customer’s specific application requirements and the system used to send the data message as and when needed.
Mr Neal added: “GeoSIM has been a world leader in mobile roaming charge cost reduction for over seven years. Our GeoSIM global SIM card naturally lends itself to the M2M sector as it roams on multiple networks. GeoSIMs are already being used for M2M applications very successfully and we see the GeoM2M as the next step”.
In addition to receiving data, clients can also send commands to their device using GeoM2M. This enables remote configuration, control and data retrieval along with other critical management and performance functions.
With fixed costs, the pocket-friendly machine to machine communications solution is already being used in a number of applications in the UK and throughout Europe. Early adopters have put the system to work in applications as diverse as flood warning systems and GPS tracking devices. In the flood warning system, GeoM2M communications are being used to send water level readings to the customer’s server at regular intervals. This is allowing the client to monitor levels and issue flood warnings when the water level start to rise.
Demonstrating the technology’s usefulness as a reliable and robust GPS tracker, GeoSIM programmed a standard GPS tracking device fitted to London Marathon runner James Slootweg in this year’s event, using its GeoM2M solution. The GPS tracker was configured to send Slootweg’s position every minute using SMS, GPRS and GeoM2M. A post-race analysis of results showed that due to network congestion, only 60% of the positions sent by GPRS were received. SMS faired a little better, but messages suffered from some delay in being delivered. In contrast, all positions sent by GeoM2M were received with minimal delay using the GeoSIM solution.
A number of other applications also lend themselves well to GeoM2M functionality, including remote personnel monitoring, lone worker tracking, access control systems and race car tracking. It can also be used in conjunction with remote sensors such as tide gauges, current meters, storage tank low or high level alarms, to convey entry and exit alerts on doors and gates and for pet or animal tracking. Remote sensor monitoring data can also be delivered seamlessly with the system, such as that required in weather stations, marine environmental monitoring and crowd monitoring. The list of M2M applications using the GeoSIM solution is endless, diverse and varied across all industries and businesses.
Since 2005, GeoSIM has been a market leader and innovator in reducing mobile roaming charges. GeoSIMs global coverage and systems naturally lend themselves to global M2M communications. GeoSIM has used this expertise to create its own Global Mobile Data Delivery System (GGMDSS). GGMDSS is designed with machine to machine communications in mind and promises to revolutionise data delivery thanks to its ability to work independently of traditional networks anywhere in the world.
