DoT may come out with roadmap for Internet of Things soon

Expects this mode of connectivity to increase digital penetration in line with objectives of Digital India

The Department of Telecom may soon come out with a policy structure for machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, as it expects this mode of connectivity to increase digital penetration which is in line with the objectives of Digital India.

M2M communications or 'Internet of Things' (IoT) is a network of devices that communicate among themselves using IP connectivity without human intervention.

According to sources, the Department of Telecom (DoT) has prepared a roadmap for M2M communications and is likely to finalise it soon.

"DoT is coming up with a National Telecom M2M Roadmap, which will provide all the M2M ecosystem partners in India to have a reference document," sources said.

The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), a unit of DoT, has been working on framing the standards for M2M communication.

M2M will bring multi-fold devices on the network, impacting almost every aspect of life of common people which will result in substantial social and economic benefits to consumers, businesses and government.

"This is going to be the key enabler for the government vision of Digital India, Make in India and proposed smart cities in the country," a DoT official said.

The official said main issues towards M2M communications include specific M2M standards which are in line with global standards, KYC norms for M2M services, allocation of spectrum for M2M last mile connectivity, revision of national numbering plan to accommodate M2M needs, privacy issues and data protection.

Elaborating on the use of M2M technology, the official added farm land can be made smart by putting sensors which will tell when to do watering by measuring soil humidity level, small wearable devices can measure vital parameters of a patient like temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate etc with the help of M2M.

"Likewise smart vehicles, smart power grids and disaster management can be made more efficient by using M2M technology," he said.

Giving an example, the official said Japan has achieved 35% energy saving by use of M2M adoption, whereas in Malaysia, agriculture productivity has improved by almost 40% using M2M technology.

"M2M has potential to bring new options of local manufacturing for devices, sensors for different sectors, R&D and related services, which will boost manufacturing sector and employment generation," he added.

The official said government is making all possible efforts to bring complete ecosystem around M2M.