The Silicon Review ^Asia

Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL) has collaborated with Tata Motors for an innovative M2M communications deal in which state-owned BSNL will be supplying embedded SIM cards intended to transform Tata’s vehicles into smart cars. According to a statement made by BSNL Chairman Anupam Shrivastava, the telco had already provided five lakh SIM cards while 10 lakh more will be provided within a year. He also said that BSNL is expecting to complete the sale of 50 million M2M SIM cards with future-ready 5G capability over the next year from now, predominantly for the automobile and home automation sectors. The M2M space could be quite beneficial for the company as an estimated Rs 20 a month per SIM would possibly convert into a sizeable Rs 1,200 crore revenue annually.

The M2M technology is quite effective in enabling the communication between wired and wireless devices by making use of sensors and applications which can be deployed in smart transportation, cities, grids, homes, and healthcare projects. M2M has the potential to develop a new and striking IoT ecosystem in which cars, home appliances, etc. can be connected to the internet thus providing a lucrative platform for 5G networks to gain traction. BSNL has over 113 million mobile subscribers who can help the company to explore the new opportunities in this sector.

Global telecommunications leader at EY, Prashant Singhal points out that the automotive and transport sector were early to tap into the benefits that IoT bring and implement it in navigation and fuel management, positioning services, fleet management and infotainment to generate good revenue streams.“With the right mix of enablers, telcos can go a long way in enhancing their play in the $4 billion IoT ecosystem by 2021”, Singhal said.