Telenor embraces the embedded mobile future

Article: 03 June 2010

The GSMA launches new initiative, with the support of Telenor Group and other telecom leaders, to take embedded mobile to the next level.

In late April 2010, Telenor Group’s Trond Are Bjørnvold, Vice President of Corporate Development, went to London to participate in the GSM Association’s (GSMA) embedded mobile kick-off event. The telecom industry’s biggest mobile players gathered together to show their interest in the GSMA’s latest industry initiative.

For Telenor, embedded mobile or M2M has been identified as a key growth area and an important priority in the Telenor strategy.

“Telenor has made embedded mobile a priority, and our participation in the GSMA’s initiative gives us the possibility to influence new standards and the way that this business will be set up,” said Trond Are Bjørnvold. “Common efforts across the telecom industry are necessary to reduce barriers and accelerate innovation. The leading mobile network operators are all on board, and through this collaboration we share both the risks and the benefits of advancing embedded mobile.”

The GSMA launches next phase of the embedded mobile initiative

The GSMA works to advance the interests of the mobile communications industry. Since 2008, they have focused on embedded mobile, building their knowledge base through research and studies. Now the GMSA is taking the next step in their embedded mobile initiative, with the help of more than 25 operators and 16 vendors. This initiative is likely to be one of the largest cross-industry co-operations, aimed at preparing mobile network operators for the embedded mobile future.

One technology, multiple names

Over the last decade, Telenor has recognized the potential of embedded mobile, and has put significant resources into its development. Embedded mobile is known to many as “machine to machine” (M2M), “connected objects” or even “the Internet of things”, but no matter the name the concept is the same. The fundamental purpose of embedded mobile technology is to use wired or wireless networks to connect objects or devices.

Telenor delivers connectivity and service enablement

The GSMA has identified four areas of focus in its embedded mobile initiative: automotive, utilities (energy), health and consumer electronics. Telenor’s main contribution is the connectivity, a relevant service for all aspects of M2M. On top of the connectivity, Telenor has identified service enablement as another area in which it can contribute. Service enablement includes roaming, positioning, hosting, etc. With this strategy, Telenor is able to be in play across the board, delivering solutions to all four of the GMSA’s focus areas.

Imagine the potential…

“We believe that one day we will see billions of devices connected to the mobile network, and Telenor intends to be a leader in the embedded mobile industry,” said Bjørnvold. “Though M2M has been around for a while, we are now seeing industry-wide commitment. Technology is getting cheaper, devices are getting smaller and things are going mobile. Imagine the potential of a modem in the car, new ways of monitoring hospital patients, and even solutions within private homes. The possibilities are endless.”