Machine to machine (M2M) technology depends on not only having sufficient machines around, but also on having sufficient bandwidth in play in order to allow these devices to connect. While getting machines together hasn't often been difficult, as more and more potential applications for connected technology became clear, getting the bandwidth in place often proved to be as difficult for M2M applications as it was for getting bandwidth into many homes. A new device from SureCall, however, may be set to change that, and it even represents an industry first, according to reports.
This device is said to be the first to receive FCC approval under a set of new regulations and technical standards related to the field of M2M technology. This in turn offers SureCall an advantage in the market, with a little extra positive perception for the device in a field with a steadily growing number of applications. The booster, meanwhile, allows for support for both 2G and 3G frequencies on all the major carriers to help ensure a connection just about anywhere, and offers a maximum gain of 15dB. Since the booster is built with a metal casing, it has sufficient resilience to take on temperatures ranging from 150 degrees Fahrenheit clear down to -4, and it contains a USB AC power supply, along with an antenna, mounting brackets and an RG58 extension cable to make for a complete package.
In order for M2M to really work, the various machines that comprise a M2M connection—and it doesn't necessarily need to be just two machines, either—need to be able to communicate with each other. The smartphone needs to be able to connect to the thermostat, or the shipping container needs to be able to connect to the central system to let the central system know where it is, or even the vending machine needs to connect to the central system to inform stockers that certain product is running low.
This connectivity needs bandwidth, and getting bandwidth to places can be difficult; just ask anyone in a town of under 1,000 people about getting Internet access. But with a signal booster like the kind SureCall makes, there's a much better opportunity to get that bandwidth to the machines. In some cases, the connectivity required only needs to be good over a certain range, maybe the size of a warehouse or the like. A signal booster can help ensure that the signal can go through walls or under floors or the like to get where it needs to be. The FCC approval, meanwhile, helps ensure that the signal as transmitted by the booster doesn't interfere with other signals currently in the room. Without that FCC approval and the testing that goes into it, there's nothing really saying that the SureCall system wouldn't make a cell phone signal dissolve into hisses every time said cell phone went near the SureCall device.
SureCall may have just set up a coup with its new signal booster, and given businesses more reason to pick up one of these devices to help keep the local machine base connected. Only time will tell just how well this works—or if others go for FCC testing as well to take that advantage out of play, somewhat like Nextivity recently did with its Cel-Fi signal booster—but in the short term, SureCall looks to have an advantage not easily replicated.
Edited by
Rachel Ramsey
