In Short:
The Department of Telecom urges unregistered machine-to-machine (M2M) service providers to register by September 30, 2024, to prevent service disruptions. As of June 30, there were 52 million M2M connections, mainly dominated by Bharti Airtel. M2M services include devices like smart TVs and digital meters that connect through broadband or wireless. Non-registration could lead to loss of telecom resources.
The Department of Telecommunications has issued a directive to unregistered machine-to-machine (M2M) service providers, urging them to complete their registration by the end of the month. Failure to register may result in a disruption of services, as indicated in an official statement released on Tuesday. As of June 30, there are approximately 5.2 crore M2M cellular mobile connections in the country.
Registration Deadline
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) emphasized the necessity for all unregistered M2M Service Providers (M2M SPs) and Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) / Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) Connectivity Providers to register with the DoT at their earliest convenience, with a final deadline set for September 30, 2024. Non-compliance could lead to the withdrawal or disconnection of telecommunication resources obtained from authorized telecom licensees.
Market Overview
The M2M services market is currently led by Bharti Airtel, which holds 2.82 crore connections, giving it a market share of 53.86%. It is followed by Vodafone Idea Limited with 27.77%, Reliance Jio at 12.80%, and BSNL with a market share of 5.58%.
M2M Services Explained
M2M services encompass a range of devices capable of connecting via broadband or wireless services, including through SIM cards and Wi-Fi. This includes smart appliances, digital meters, and FASTag, among other connected devices.