The telecom department’s recent decision to broaden the registration scope of machine-to-machine and internet of things (M2M/IoT) to encompass all entities across various segments is anticipated to facilitate the standardization of IoT services. This move aims to establish a unified standard that addresses key issues such as know your customer (KYC), security, and encryption. Currently, the M2M/IoT industry operates with multiple separate standards, leading to interoperability challenges as the number of devices continues to grow.
Telecommunication companies are awaiting the government’s definition of critical M2M/IoT services, asserting that these should be exclusively provided through licensed spectrum. The expansion of M2M registration to various business entities, including companies, government departments, partnerships, LLPs, institutions, proprietorship firms, societies, and trusts engaged in M2M services provisioning, has been outlined in recent guidelines issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). Entities falling under these categories are required to register with the DoT through the saralsanchar portal.
Experts believe that this measure will promote a standards-based and secure M2M/IoT ecosystem, addressing concerns of M2M service providers related to telecom operator interfaces, KYC rules, security, and encryption. The standardization and adherence to these measures are expected to enhance investor confidence, improve efficiencies, reduce costs across various sectors, and contribute to achieving the national goal of 25 billion IoT devices by 2030, according to TV Ramachandran, President of the Broadband India Forum (BIF).
