IoT/M2M Breathing New Life Into Telco Services

Sales for traditional telecommunications services, such as voice and messaging, are on the decline. But that doesn't mean telecom operators are taking a back seat when it comes to capitalizing on new technologies. Research firm IDC forecasts the global installed base of Internet of Things (IoT) to hit 28.1 billion devices in 2020, generating revenue of $1.7 trillion. Carriers are jumping on the IoT and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications bandwagons as they hunt for new services and revenue opportunities, according to IDC in a new report.

The report by IDC analyst Ina Malatinska concluded that telcos will play a critical role in building up the M2M/IoT market. Here are some excerpts from IDC's report that highlight where the opportunities lie in the IoT/M2M space that carriers should take advantage of, if they haven't already.