Wyless and Iridium join the international M2M council

LONDON, UK: Iridium Communications, Inc. and Wyless Inc. have joined the International M2M Council (IMC), a global organisation that promotes the benefits of machine-to-machine communications (M2M). The IMC announced that both companies have become sustaining members of the London-based association, which was formed earlier this year by a group of influential solutions providers in the M2M industry.

Iridium, a global satellite services provider, and Wyless, an M2M/IoT managed services provider, are expected to contribute an expanded breadth of expertise to the IMC's first major initiative: the development of a library of M2M content, including in-depth user case-studies that will inform businesses about the benefits of M2M technology in various vertical markets.

Sometimes called the "Internet of Things", M2M refers to applications in which computers and sensors exchange data with each other to monitor and control remote machines. The IMC will cover broad areas of new, life-enriching connectivity applications in areas such as connected cars, mobile healthcare, home security, smart grid, and mobile supply-chain.

Iridium specializes in providing satellite communications between machines to industries where objects can be hard to reach, such as vehicle tracking, heavy equipment, energy, maritime, and aviation. Says David Wigglesworth, the company's VP of Data Services, "Iridium sees great value in joining together with other industry leaders to increase awareness of the business case for M2M. We've only scratched the surface of the economic benefits M2M can provide."

Dan McDuffie, CEO of Wyless, agrees, "One of the things we appreciate most about the IMC is that it is prepared to carry its message globally. Many of our partners require solutions with a multinational footprint, and our industry group needs to reflect that." Wyless currently delivers M2M managed cellular service through 19 major telcos on every continent, and recently acquired TM Data of Brazil, a fellow MVNO.

Other sustaining members of the IMC are AT&T, Deutsche Telekom, Digi International, Kore Telematics, Oracle Corporation, ORBCOMM and Telit Wireless Solutions. More companies are expected to join the IMC in the coming weeks.