GSM subscriptions supporting Machine to Machine (M2M) applications are expected to reach 1 billion by 2015*. This increase in the use of GSM networks to support automated communication between devices and applications will cause signaling capacity, traffic management and Quality of Service (QoS) to become significant operator issues. Nokia Siemens Networks’ M2M software suite for GSM helps prevent the overloading of networks with traffic, avoiding network congestion and supporting M2M reliability and growth.
M2M refers to technologies that use a device to capture an event which is relayed by a network to an application that translates it into meaningful and useful information. For example, the device could be a smart energy meter transferring power consumption patterns and trends to an energy supplier. This would allow the supplier to provide automated billing while adjusting supply to meet demand. Other applications include monitoring transport fleets, tracking valuable inventory items and monitoring personal health.
“M2M applications create both additional information and signaling load on the network,” said Thorsten Robrecht, head of Network Systems product management at Nokia Siemens Networks. “In mass-M2M applications, such as smart metering, the additional monthly payload is low, typically less than 1 Megabyte per subscriber. However, there will always be additional signaling load for every data transaction. Since M2M data transactions are expected to grow by ten times in the next few years, signaling will be a very relevant issue for operators. Our M2M software suite reduces signaling by up to 70%.”
The M2M software suite for GSM is based on a precise paging feature – Nokia Siemens Networks’ own invention – that efficiently reduces the amount of signaling information between M2M mobile stations and base transceiver stations. As a result, GSM operators with M2M service businesses don’t require additional base station sites to accommodate more M2M users.
As part of its M2M suite, Nokia Siemens Networks also offers priority class based Quality of Service (QoS), prioritizing urgent M2M transactions such as health and security related information. Moreover, operators are able to better manage less critical loads during peak hours, which adds to the robustness of the network. The suite also boasts a Smart Resource Adaptation (SRA) feature, which enables up to five times more M2M subscriptions.**
“We have been a pioneer in driving the adoption of M2M, providing advanced solutions for low cost operation as well as efficient delivery of multi-industry M2M services. In addition, our M2M application development follows an agile research and development approach – like that of a start-up company – so that we can meet market needs in a flexible way,” added Peter Zimmermann, head of Global Services M2M solution management at Nokia Siemens Networks. “Today, we are on the threshold of wide scale adoption of M2M across utilities; smart grid; transportation and automotive; logistics; security and surveillance as well as retail and vending. We have taken a defining step by addressing the impact of traffic on underlying networks to facilitate a smooth experience for users.”
Nokia Siemens Networks’ M2M software will be available for commercial use from August 2011.
For more information please visit, www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com
* Nokia Siemens Networks estimate.
** Nokia Siemens Networks’ Smart Resource Adaption (SRA) is an innovation introduced by the company at MWC 2011.
Filed Under: Industrial automation