T-Mobile USA launches embedded SIM card for M2M

T-Mobile USA launched an embedded SIM card for machine-to-machine (M2M) solutions, which the operator said is about the size of the head of a pin. The embedded SIM is also more durable than traditional SIM cards, and has been made to withstand extremes in temperature, humidity and motion.

T-Mobile said the SIM will be ideal for telematics or for use in smartgrids. The carrier touted the size of the SIM card as well as the fact that it's made from silicon, not plastic, and that it could be hard-mounted directly into M2M modules. T-Mobile also announced a partnership with Echelon's Networked Energy Services to put the embedded SIM in its smart meters. 

Embedded wireless is becoming a hot area for wireless carriers. Verizon Wireless is one of the chief proponents of embedded, and Verizon Communications CEO Ivan Seidenberg recently proclaimed that 500 percent wireless penetration is possible once more electronic devices have wireless connections. AT&T has been touting--and subsidizing--netbooks carrying connections to its 3G network, and also has plans to embed wireless in other devices. Meanwhile, Sprint Nextel has one of the most recognizable embedded devices, the Amazon Kindle, which uses the company's 1xEVDO network. In addition, Sprint is looking to partner with companies such as Garmin, Kodak and memory storage company SanDisk to supply embedded wireless Internet service for their products.

For more:
- see this release
[1]- see this release on Echelon [2]

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Verizon's Seidenberg: 500 percent penetration achievable [5]
AT&T offering netbooks for as low as $50
[6]Sprint looking for embedded wireless partnerships [7]

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