All cellular-based M2M requires the participation of a mobile network operator (MNO). The MNO provides the connectivity as well as the SIM card and hence owns and controls the SIM card, which is the key to the M2M connectivity.
Changing the SIM card once it is installed is costly and often virtually impossible, when the SIM card itself is buried deep inside the machine. The MNO is therefore in control of the communication to and from the equipment during its entire life span, and thereby also in total control of the commercial and technical aspects of the communication between the devices. This harsh reality has been especially problematic in M2M solutions such as Smart Metering and Automotive where the expected life span of the machines is particularly long, ranging from 15-25 years, and where the cost of a SIM card replacement is particularly high or even impossible.
“Now is the time for enterprises to put the right requirements on the connectivity. Connectivity should be supporting their business and not the other way around”, says Staffan Eriksson, head of M2M Portfolio Management at Maingate. He continues, “All technology is now in place to shift the power to the enterprises and Maingate is now taking the lead in this shift.”
Maingate Connect Flex provides a mechanism for the remote provisioning and management of M2M connections, allowing the “over the air” provisioning of an initial operator subscription, and the subsequent change of subscription from one operator to another. This enables the following main use cases:
- The MNO can be replaced without the need to physically replace the SIM card
- Provide a global product for a global manufacturing process
- Local provisioning when the product is deployed in the field
This news was originally posted on www.maingatesolutions.com
Founded in 1998, Wireless Maingate AB is an ICT company, providing M2M Connectivity and Data Management services to customers around Europe. We are a trusted partner to more than 1.000 customers, including utilities such as E.ON, Fortum and Vattenfall. We work closely with technology partners such as Gemalto, Giesecke & Devrient, Oberthur, Schneider Electric, Kamstrup, Telia, Tele2 and Deutsche Telekom. Today we connect more than 55 % of all smart meters in Sweden, 20 % of all smart meters in Finland, 70 % of the Point-of-Sales terminals in Sweden and 40 % of all residential alarms in Sweden. Maingate is a company in the Nordic VC Verdane Capital fund VI.
