Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Communication delivers a common solution i.e. remote device access. However, the difference between two technologies is the process of achieving remote devices access. For instance, the traditional M2M solutions generally depend on point-to-point communications by utilizing implanted hardware modules and either wired or cellular networks whereas, IoT solutions typically depend on IP based networks in order to interface device data to either a middleware or cloud platform. Also, in M2M communication, the requirement of Internet connection is not necessary. In contrast, IoT requires Internet connection in most cases. In terms of integration options, the M2M communication has limited integration options owing to the need of corresponding communication standards; and IoT has unlimited integration options although it requires a solution which has the capability to manage all the communications.

Market Dynamics

The global demand for IoT and M2M communications is propelling with the growing demand for wireless networks, cloud applications and sensors. These factors largely depend on enhancing connectivity as well as government support. IoT and M2M communications are resulting in escalating the connectivity between devices and objects. This is due to optimization of big data and cloud computing. These technological trends help in the backend processing and analytics needed to manage with the communication methodologies.

The adoption of IoT and M2M communications is propelled by various industry verticals owing to the advantages offered by these technologies such as identification & tracking, monitoring, business analysis, integral control, efficient process & service and early response. Also, an intelligent communication network enables the seamless integration of data & information thereby, boosting the market growth of IoT and M2M communication market. However, lack of skilled professionals, privacy & security, slowly eliminating 2G technology and government standards are few factors hampering the growth of IoT and M2M communication market.

Market Classification and Overview

The market for IoT and M2M is segmented by technology & platform, M2M connections & modules, IoT components, application and geography. The technology & platform segment is bifurcated into sensor nodes, radio frequency identification, near field communication, cloud management, supervisory control & data acquisition, information & discovery services, Zigbee and complex event processing. The M2M connections & modules is fragmented into sim-cards, network connections and module types. Further, IoT components are segmented by RFID, data processing & safety, network communications and safety, security & support technology. By application, the market for IoT and M2M communications is bifurcated into retail, public safety & urban security, energy & power, telecom & IT, industrial & commercial buildings, consumer & residential, transportation, healthcare manufacturing. Geographically, the market is segmented into Asia-Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe and Middle East & Africa (MEA).

The market is witnessing growth owing to the rising spending on IoT worldwide. North America’s market for IoT and M2M communications is the largest share holder of the total geographical market owing to the rapid adoption of IoT in developed countries of North America and increasing technological developments in the region. The Asia-Pacific market is anticipated to grow at a faster rate in comparison to other regions in the coming years. This demand is highly influenced by the escalating technological adoption and enormous opportunities across various industry verticals in the Asia-Pacific countries particularly, Japan, India and China.

Report Coverage

Market Participants

Some of the chief players in the IoT and M2M communications market are AT&T Inc., Intel Corporation, IBM Corporation, Gemalto NV, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Alcatel-Lucent S.A., NXP Semiconductors NV, Google, Inc. and Qualcomm Incorporated among others.

Market Segmentation

Market by Technology & Platform

·         Sensor nodes

·         Radio frequency identification

·         Near field communication

·         Cloud management

·         Supervisory control & data acquisition

·         Information & discovery services

·         Zigbee

·         Complex event processing

Market by M2M Connections & Modules

·         Sim-cards

·         Network connections

·         Module types

Market by IoT Components

·         RFID

·         Data processing & safety

·         Network communications

·         Safety, security & support technology

Market by Application

·         Retail

·         Public safety & urban security

·         Energy & power

·         Telecom & IT

·         Industrial & commercial buildings

·         Consumer & residential

·         Transportation

·         Healthcare

·         Manufacturing

Market by Geography

·         North America

o   US

o   Canada

o   Mexico

·         Europe

o   UK

o   Germany

o   France

o   Rest of Europe

·         Asia-Pacific

o   China

o   Japan

o   India

o   Philippines

o   Rest of Asia-Pacific

·         Latin America

o    Brazil

o   Chile

o   Rest of Latin America

·         Middle East and Africa (MEA)

o   South Africa

o   Saudi Arabia

o   Rest of MEA