M2M Growth in Southeast Asia in Need of Regulatory Incentives

M2M Growth in Southeast Asia in Need of Regulatory Incentives

BONN and ESCHBORN, Germany, March 19, 2012/PRNewswire/ --

    - Virtually no specific regulations for M2M

    - International M2M roaming agreements needed

    - Open mobile network codes simplify a switch from one provider to another

    Unless the countries in Southeast Asia create a specific regulatory framework,
machine-to-machine communication (M2M) will be unable to develop into a successful market.
More than any other factors, the high costs for switching providers and the expense of
roaming - a consequence of the almost complete lack of specific M2M fees - are obstacles
to M2M growth. In its analysis of regulatory factors, the management consultancy Detecon
International has also identified the provision of an adequate number pool for M2M
applications and the establishment of suitable integration platforms as important
prerequisites.

    Whether Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, or Thailand - none of these countries
currently have a regulatory framework specific for M2M in place. However, Singapore and
Malaysia, in contrast to Indonesia and Thailand, have developed bilateral M2M roaming
regulations and launched various initiatives which, among other objectives, promote the
technological infrastructure of M2M projects. "Thailand and Indonesia should follow this
example by offering manufacturers and users dedicated M2M rates as well. Otherwise, there
is no option but to fall back on expensive international roaming fees," emphasized Markus
Steingröver, Managing Partner at Detecon International. The allocation of additional 3G
frequencies for M2M applications would be advisable for Thailand.

    Detecon recommends the introduction of open mobile network codes (MNCs) as well so
that users would be able to switch M2M providers. In this type of system, users or
intermediaries would have their own MNC so that the expense and effort of replacing SIM
cards in the M2M devices would become unnecessary. Users and providers in this case would
simply buy M2M network services on the wholesale market.

    General information about the regulatory aspects in the development of national
markets for machine-to-machine communication can be found in Detecon's opinion paper
"Eliminating Regulatory Roadblocks for M2M Deployment" (
http://www.detecon.com/m2m_deployment).

   
    For additional information, go to:
    http://www.detecon.com
    info@detecon.com

    Press contact
    Detecon International GmbH
    Gerhard Auer
    Phone: +49-228-700-1013
    E-mail: gerhard.auer@detecon.com

Source: Detecon International GmbH