Editor’s Note: RCR Wireless News asked wireless industry analysts and executives to provide their predictions for what they expect to see in 2012 across their areas of expertise.
Mobile connectivity for objects and devices is growing enormously. Never before have so many devices been able to “talk to each other” like they can today – from mobile hotspots being embedded in cars to a home security system alerting its owners that a tornado is approaching. The machine-to-machine market enables some of the coolest consumer apps to the most critical emergency communications.
For operators, M2M demand means new revenue opportunities (some estimates are that M2M will reach $60 billion in yearly revenue); for vertical markets and enterprises, it means offering better services and for consumers, it means convenience and peace of mind. With thousands of M2M apps in hundreds of vertical markets now available (and new ones becoming available everyday) and the tremendous revenue potential, M2M may become one of the biggest mobile success stories of all time.
In 2012, the mobile industry can expect to see consolidation among providers of M2M services all around, but particularly in the fleet, asset management and “buy here, pay here” verticals. We’ve seen some of that already in 2011, but the trend will accelerate in 2012.
We also predicts that the mobile industry will see increasing M2M expansion into specific market niches, like personal tracking, which allows family members to monitor loved ones to wish to live without assistance.
One thing is certain: 2012 will see prolific growth of the M2M market. More devices will be connected than ever before, more applications will pop up than ever before, more people will subscribe than ever before. M2M will be a strong success story that the mobile industry must watch.
