EE has launched EE connect, the UK’s first 4G-capable dedicated Machine to Machine (M2M) service. EE Connect provides the foundation for businesses and public sector organisations to develop the connected products and services of the future on the UK’s best 4G, 3G and 2G network.
EE Connect offers M2M customers real time monitoring of all devices, automation to easily set and edit business rules remotely and granular reporting for more informed decision making. A dedicated M2M service team is also in place to support all M2M customers with expert assistance.
From smart cities and businesses, to smart watches and wearables, analysts estimate that there will be more than 30 billion connected devices by 2020. EE Connect has been developed to provide the platform to ensure that UK businesses are a major part of this booming new ecosystem.
There are currently more than two million machines communicating to each other over the EE 2G and 3G network, and EE predicts that will double to more than four million by 2017. The ability to utilise 4G will make all M2M communications more efficient, and support new scenarios that require higher bandwidth, such as remote video distribution, in-car diagnostics and entertainment, and scenarios where low latency is critical, like driverless cars and future healthcare applications.
Mike van Bunnens, managing director at Comms365 Limited, an EE M2M partner said: “Our business requires the best possible M2M service and support. EE has been a strong and dependable partner as we’ve grown, and we’ve developed new advanced connected products and services such as our Fixed IP Subscriber identity modules (SIM) and Fibre Failover solutions on EE’s network. EE Connect provides us with even more flexibility, giving us the ability to offer granular level support to our customers and faster, tailored M2M solutions.”
“The strength of EE’s 4G network and EE Connect are helping us to enhance our capabilities including our popular Continuum bonded services for rapidly deployed, mission critical internet access and corporate network connectivity, ensuring that we’re able to meet customer expectations the first time, every time.”
Gerry McQuade, chief marketing & sales officer, EE Business said: ”Every day, the strength and reliability of our 4G network allows businesses to develop innovative connected products and services that improve our lives .Whether it’s telematics in cars that help improve driving and road safety, healthcare applications that drastically cut testing and diagnosis times, or connected infrastructure that creates smarter and more efficient public services. EE Connect provides the best M2M management capabilities, on the best network, with the best service through a dedicated support team, which together is helping businesses create the connected technologies of tomorrow.”
Customers will be able to monitor and manage connected devices remotely via the EE Control Centre, providing visibility and flexibility that allows them to save time, money and make more informed business decisions. The EE Control Centre allows customers to remotely diagnose and repair issues with connected machines in the field as well as an ability to set up powerful automation rules to increase efficiency, resilience and manageability.
The new 4G-capable M2M service is supported by EE’s commitment to invest £1.5billion in its network over the next three years, with a particular focus on rural parts of the UK. In order to further support the inevitable growth of the Internet of Things, EE’s 4G network will reach 90% of the UK geography by the end of 2017, with high capacity 4G+ enabled in 20 of the busiest UK cities.
