M2M can bring revolutionary changes in various sectors: Prasad

Machine-to-machine (M2M) communications can help save up to 18 to 20 per cent of product cost in agriculture and bring in revolutionary changes in sectors like transport, healthcare and public distribution.
"Technology can benefit in reducing capital losses of massive magnitude. Introduction of M2M in agriculture supply chain alone can help save up to 18 to 20 per cent of product cost," Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said during a consultative committee meeting on M2M recently.
Members of Parliament (MPs) attached to the consultative committee said Asia being the fastest growing region for M2M, India should take rapid strides to lay framework for establishment of M2M network in the country.

The MPs also appreciated the government's effort to provide policy framework for making technology an integrated part of government's endeavour to improve quality of life.
The participants were briefed about the revolutionary changes that can be brought about in sectors like agriculture, transport, healthcare or public distribution through monitoring and intervention without human involvement.
The national telecom M2M roadmap would also facilitate in realising policy goals identified in national objectives including Make in India and Digital India.

Speaking at the meeting, Prasad said that technology can benefit in reducing capital losses of massive magnitude.
He said up to 20 per cent economy can be reached in fuel consumption while thefts worth Rs 2,000 crore can be checked.

The Minister said as on today 75 million devices were connected through M2M in India which is likely to grow to 280 million by 2020. He said globally the number was expected to grow from 12.5 billion to more than 50 billion. This would translate into a revenue growth of USD 1.2 trillion from just 200 billion in 2012-13, he added.