Chapter 3
Lessons Learned from Early M2M Deployments
3.1 Introduction
The current rapid growth of M2M deployments has given rise to several operational challenges that currently face network service providers whose installed infrastructure has been primarily designed and optimized for personal communications. The aim of this chapter is to share some of the most important findings and lessons learned, as well as describing the set of best current practices in terms of network architectures in order to cope with current M2M growth.
While M2M devices may use several communication technologies, including short-range RF, wireline, and cellular 2G/3G/4G, this chapter focuses on devices that use 2G and 3G communication modules to connect to a mobile network operator (MNO). Cellular technologies provide several characteristics that match the requirements of several M2M market segments. These include availability and geographical coverage, low latency and high levels of security. Additionally, network operators, and MNOs in particular, are becoming a trusted partner for M2M deployments and are increasingly providing new value-added services above and beyond basic connectivity and activation, embracing a model where they become M2M service providers.
One of the first challenges facing an MNO deploying M2M is the ability to operate a large number of M2M devices exhibiting different traffic characteristics without impacting personal communication ...
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