Data is already being seen as \u2018the new oil\u2019 that will fuel India\u2019s digital transformation. While voice played a major role in boosting the growth rate of India\u2019s GDP, data will add sustenance and enhance it further. It is affordable mobile broadband, which is currently driving the unprecedented growth in consumption of data. Rise in broadband penetration to 60% can translate into a 5-6% increase in the country\u2019s GDP, which approximately amounts to INR 7 lakh crores.<\/p>

As per reports, the number of IoT devices is estimated to reach 1.9 million units by 2020, and India\u2019s IoT market size is projected to increase 7 times, from 1.3 billion last year to $9 billion by 2020. The Government\u2019s $100 billion initiative for 100 smart cities will further boost the number of IoT devices in the country, which currently stands at 60 million. The country is also deploying 14 smart grids and 130 million smart meters, which will fuel M2M\u2019s application in the utility domain.<\/p>

M2M and its innovative use cases are perfectly poised to steer the country towards dynamic socio-economic growth, offering considerable tangible benefits to citizens, businesses and the Government.<\/p>

M2M in transportation is leading the way towards smarter fleet management, optimized fuel consumption and higher safety standards. The most fundamental capability that M2M solutions provide is the ability to monitor workforce, fleet locations and conditions in real time. This ensures that reporting and alerts are improved, thereby significantly improving customer satisfaction. Then there is freight monitoring where M2M capabilities or telematics can provide data on location, temperature etc. in order to ensure that assets are secure. And of course, there is public transport management where M2M capabilities ensure that citizens can access real-time data and receive accurate alerts on transport availability, traffic conditions, diversions, etc. Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. launched Mahindra DiGiSENSEtechnology solution that connects the entire range of Mahindra vehicles to the cloud \u2013 from tractors and trucks to construction equipment, adding a whole new dimension to the experience of vehicle ownership and tracking.<\/p>

Similarly, in agriculture there is the Nano Ganesh Irrigation Automation System which enables farmers to remotely monitor and switch onirrigationpumps used for watering crops in remote locations, through their mobile phones. Thus, providing convenience and saving millions of gallons of scarce water resources.<\/p>

Another application of M2M is demonstrated by Vijayawada Municipal Corporation, through their smart parking initiative. The initiative enables any mobile user on the move to check for availability of space offered by the civic body via the app - \u201cParkinslot\u201d. Again, this is expected to enhance driver convenience while saving millions of gallons of scarce petroleum and reducing pollution.<\/p>

These technologies are going to revolutionise businesses, government services, education, healthcare, administration, real estate, smart homes, smart cities, smart buildings, entertainment, logistics and retail. Minimalistic, multi-functional, platform agnostic and interactive devices beckon our future.<\/p>

M2M is also revolutionising healthcare in rural India. For instance, screening for oral cancer, point-of-care support and diagnostics (mHealth) are done using smartphones with a camera. It is either diagnosed by using preloaded software or by uploading data to the hospital\u2019s electronic medical records (EMR) system for specialist feedback. Treatment is advised through interactive videos on phone or referred to a specialist. The open source telemedicine platform allows medical investigations to be encoded on to smartphones; it enables ECG, ultrasound and X-ray and CT-scanners, and also two-way sharing of medical data between a central medical record database and the phone, linking specialists with clinicians. Another example of M2M being deployed for healthcare is that of Apollo Tele Health services which is providing 24\/7, quality, affordable, remote health care, to 34,000 citizens of Lahaul and Spiti (height of 14,000 feet in the Himalayas) in Himachal Pradesh. People living there are connected through satellite to specialists of Apollo Hospital sitting in New Delhi and Hyderabad.<\/p>

Once 5G becomes commercially available, M2M will also get an added boost. It delivers three to four times increase in average data speeds compared to the existing 4G network. Different use cases will require different frequency bands. We would need both licensed and unlicensed spectrum to provide desired quality of service to end consumers. Recently, the 5G High Level Forum (HLF) has identified 6,000 Mhz of spectrum in various spectrum bands for 5G use. The HLF has identified and recommended particular spectrum bands that are to be earmarked for 5G.<\/p>

However, every new technology comes with its own set of challenges that needs to be addressed. As more and more devices start operating in an interconnected ecosystem, data privacy will be a glaring concern \u2013 both for individuals as well as enterprises. Issues such as data localization, local manufacturing and testing, customer consent, etc need to be resolved without throwing the baby out with the bath water.<\/p>

With cloud computing and innovative service models like infrastructure as service (IAAS) and platform as service (PaaS), a plethora of M2M applications and databases will be hosted on the cloud. As per existing telecom licensing guidelines, subscriber data cannot be taken outside India. But, the cloud for many applications will be hosted on servers located outside India posing both a regulatory compliance challenge and a data security issue.<\/p>

Going ahead, even the current net neutrality regulations would need calibration to allow adoption of appropriate Traffic Management Practices to cater the requirements of different M2M services. In addition, network configurations emerging from 5G, such as \u201cNetwork Slicing\u201d will require inclusion within the present Net Neutrality regulations.<\/p>

Other regulatory issues that may need to be looked into, include KYC norms, regulations around intra and inter circle roaming, liability and accountability issues as well as ensuring adequate availability of licenced spectrum.<\/p>

M2M service providers will also need to ensure that the customer data is protected adequately to be in line with the data privacy rules which will emerge in India.<\/p>

As India is now at the cusp of a veritable digital revolution, it demands a progressive policy structure that will enable the adoption and development of a robust M2M ecosystem. <\/p>","blog_img":"","posted_date":"2018-09-05 16:50:29","modified_date":"2018-09-05 16:50:29","featured":"0","status":"Y","seo_title":"Building a robust M2M ecosystem for India's socio-economic transformation","seo_url":"building-a-robust-m2m-ecosystem-for-india-s-socio-economic-transformation","url":"\/\/www.iser-br.com\/tele-talk\/building-a-robust-m2m-ecosystem-for-india-s-socio-economic-transformation\/3230","url_seo":"building-a-robust-m2m-ecosystem-for-india-s-socio-economic-transformation"},img_object:["","retail_files/author_1485515109_temp.jpg"],fromNewsletter:"",newsletterDate:"",ajaxParams:{action:"get_more_blogs"},pageTrackingKey:"Blog",author_list:"Rajan S Mathews",complete_cat_name:"Blogs"});" data-jsinvoker_init="_override_history_url = "//www.iser-br.com/tele-talk/building-a-robust-m2m-ecosystem-for-india-s-socio-economic-transformation/3230";">