The European machine-to-machine market is taking another leap forward, with TeliaSonera joining the M2M alliance formed in February between France Telecom (FT) Orange and Deutsche Telekom (DT).
The Sweden-based telco said that its cellular operations in the Nordic and Baltic countries will be added to the M2M partnership already in operation by FT Orange and DT that allows roaming across most major European countries. Critical to joining the M2M alliance, according to TeliaSonera, is the chance to increase the quality of service and interoperability for customers wanting access to seamless M2M services across the majority of European countries.
"The cooperation will enhance a better cross-border customer experience in our markets and increase quality in our offers that will support the development of M2M services," Håkan Dahlström, TeliaSonera's president of mobility services, said in a statement. "M2M has a very large economic potential and this cooperation with three of the strongest brands in the market enhances our international offers."
The three operators have also committed to conduct joint testing to harmonise M2M module standards, and to ensure that interoperability is optimised between the modules and cellular networks.
Commenting on the expansion of the M2M alliance, Anne-Marie Thiollet, executive vice president of Orange business services, said in a statement the three partners looked forward to other operators joining the endeavour. "Only by working together can we make the great promise of M2M a reality."
For more:
- see this press release
- see this Dow Jones Newswire article (sub. req.)
- see this Wireless Federation article
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