Machine-to-machine (M2M): opportunities, services, realities, drivers and recommendations.

retail point of sale (POS)

While trends and realities are clearly different from one region to another, it is obvious that, enterprises are and will be the main customers and main drivers of growth for Machine-to-machine (M2M) services. Fleet management, vehicle tracking, and pay-as you-go insurance, retail point of sale (POS), M2M energy, utility, and security services are the key service areas.

"M2M technology is clearly gaining traction in Africa, albeit at a slower rate than seen in the world's more developed markets," says Oluwole Babatope, a telecommunications and networking research analyst at IDC West Africa."

IDC identifies drivers including: improved mobile network coverage and bandwidth availability, increased usage of smart devices, and supportive government policies.

In order to maximize the revenue potential of M2M, Connectikpeople.co recommends mobile network operators (MNOs) to inter alia: develop end-to-end solutions and avoid relying on revenue from connectivity alone.

They need to develop a holistic portfolio of value-added services, engaging in strategic partnerships and put a greater focus on services.