Standard´s net gains [Communications Emerging Standards]

Last year saw initial proposals for a new wireless technology standard for machine-to-machine (M2M) communications. M2M, also known as the Internet of Things (IoT), enables remote devices such as sensors and meters to send data into a central network. Called Weightless, this emerging standard is optimised for machine communications, and predicated on delivering device costs of below $2, battery life of up to 10 years, and ubiquitous operating coverage across a country. It makes use of a concept in radio spectrum access known as `white space´, interworking with TV transmissions in the UHF band.