Zhenjiang, China has selected Nokia (News - Alert) Siemens Networks to provide its machine-to-machine (M2M) platform to enable the city to transform itself with wireless communications that support remote healthcare, intelligent transport and e-energy solutions. The authorities in the city aim to make it hi-tech by fostering an innovative “Internet of Things” ecosystem.

“This is a strategic partnership aimed at creating a hi-tech cities as well as developing our local information and communications technologies industry,” said Gui Qiliang, deputy secretary general of People’s Government of Zhenjiang and vice director of Zhenjiang New Area Administrative Committee, in a statement. “It will lay the foundation to a healthy ecosystem where local software companies will benefit from Nokia Siemens (News - Alert) Networks’ M2M platform, and develop diversified services and applications that bring socio-economic benefits.”

One of the innovative applications Zhenjiang city plans to develop is remote medical monitoring services. The application will be used to alert patients about any changes to their vital signs and locate them in emergencies to provide timely medical assistance. Another application will be GPS taxi monitoring application for an intelligent transportation system, which will assist in remotely managing, tracking and monitoring taxis on the road to provide real-time information on vehicles’ operational status and traffic congestion.

“The Internet of Things or machine-to-machine communications are strategic focus areas within Nokia Siemens Networks (News - Alert),” said Mark Atkinson, head of business development for Nokia Siemens Networks in China, in a press release. “We are committed to supporting the Chinese government in this transformation and will work together to develop an innovation based co-operation model.”

One of the reasons why Zhenjiang chose Nokia Siemens Networks’ M2M platform is its capability to run the network, manage the devices and provide different services. The managed connectivity service emphasize on aspects like subscription and device management or charging and billing. Service enablement means the platform is able to configure common functionality, monitor connected machines (known as smart objects) and collect and pre-process “load data,” which includes many variables like blood pressure or heart beat rate measured by a healthcare monitoring device, a patient’s or taxis current position or speed.

“We are convinced that a framework that simplifies the service delivery and management of connected smart objects will further open up the potential for smart services to small and medium enterprises,” said Peter Zimmermann, head of smart object/M2M solution portfolio management at Nokia Siemens Networks. “These companies have not used this kind of services till now due to previously high cost and complexity.”

Rahul Arora is a TMCnet contributor. He has worked as an editor and freelance writer for several reputed organizations in India. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Tammy Wolf