The number of smart meter installations that fail in the UK because of non-compatibility issues is rising, according to utility consultancy Make It Cheaper.

The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) organised a multi-vendor demonstration this week of wireless M2M functionality using its latest standards.

Multi-Tech has introduced the MultiConnect AW analogue-to-wireless converters. The turnkey products allow legacy equipment with built-in analogue modems to connect to the cellular packet data or circuit switched data networks.

Sensorlogic is teaming with Sprint to give enterprise customers faster and smarter ways to build and deploy M2M applications and managed services.

Maxim Integrated Products has introduced the Max 17497, one chip that is claimed to cover all the power requirements on the communications and metrology boards in smart meters. This high level of integration is said to ease design, add flexibility, increase accuracy, improve reliability and lower the total cost and footprint.

Belgian bus operator De Lijn has installed Mix Telematics’ bus and coach fleet management system for its more than 1800 buses.

The number of cellular M2M subscriptions is expected to increase almost fourfold between 2010 and 2016, from 72 million to 282 million, according to a report from Pyramid Research.

Sensorlogic and Queclink Wireless have formed a business relationship to help their customers fast track M2M application projects with out-of-the-box support for Queclink devices in the Sensorlogic service delivery platform.

Lantronix has won the “IT Solutions Excellence” award in the M2M connections category at the Biz.IT Excellence Awards, organised by Hong Kong IT magazine, Sing Tao PC Market.

Telefonica, through its O2 mobile brand, is to provide M2M technology to connect Chargemaster’s UK-wide network of electric vehicle charging stations.

Advanced electricity meters with integrated cellular communications modules are forecast to increase from 2.6 million shipments in 2010 to 9.5 million shipments annually in 2016, according to a report from IMS Research.

The University of Westminster has been awarded a grant of £507,000 from the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) to support research into smart grids.

Solid State Supplies has announced a range of modules and technical services for M2M communications that enable wireless networks to be quickly and easily deployed then accessed, controlled and managed over the IDigi cloud-computing platform.

Spatial network intelligence source American Roamer has appointed Matt Pasiewicz to the position of director of software development.

Telenor Connexion has become the global supplier of embedded connectivity for Amelti, a manufacturer of industrial engine and vehicle fuel and emissions monitoring and management systems.

UAE telecoms provider Etisalat has introduced a service that allows expecting parents to share ultrasound scans of their foetus with family and friends. Called Mobile Baby, the service also enables remote medical diagnostics.