It was another busy week in the rapidly-blossoming M2M technology market. Here’s a quick run-down of the some of the top M2M technology articles published on TMCnet this week:

On Monday, ECCEL Corp. (News - Alert) announced that it has named Cinterion Wireless Modules as its exclusive module supplier for telemetry solutions for energy, water, oil and gas applications.

“ECCEL has used modules from different manufacturers but with Cinterion, we have found the best modules in the market with the highest quality and excellent functionality,” said Asdrúbal Espitia, CEO of ECCEL, in a release. “We provide solutions for very critical applications where reliability, stability and performance are vital, so you need to have a very good communications technology partner and Cinterion is the best.” 

 

ECCEL is a Bogota, Colombia-based company that develops intelligent wireless solutions with advanced functionality.

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On Tuesday, Technology Marketing Corporation and Crossfire Media announced that applications are being accepted for the first M2M Evolution Product of the Year Awards. The awards are presented by M2M Evolution, one of the fastest growing Web sites dedicated to machine to machine technologies.

The M2M Evolution Product of the Year Awards will recognize the best M2M technology products brought to market in 2009. The Machine to Machine evolution is not only about distance or speed, it is about process. The M2M Evolution Product of the Year Awards will encompass the systems and solutions that are delivering on the promise of gathering information regardless of proximity.

Early bird entries are due by Dec. 12, 2009. Applications will be accepted until Jan. 9, 2009. To learn more and apply for the M2M Evolution Product of the Year Awards, click here. Winners will be announced in February 2010 on M2M Evolution and included in its e-newsletter.

Also on Tuesday, Mercedes-Benz USA and Hughes Telematics Inc. announced the launch of mbrace, a telematics solution that is expected to offer optimum connectivity to Mercedes-Benz drivers, who can also customize their in-vehicle experiences according to daily needs. Hughes (News - Alert) Telematics, or HTI, will be powering mbrace, which will be made available on all new Mercedes-Benz vehicles sold in the US by authorized dealers. mbrace will be replacing Tele Aid, the previously-installed telematics system. Company sources also added that Mercedes-Benz owners using Tele Aid will be eligible to upgrade to the new mbrace system.

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On Wednesday, AT&T announced that it has simplified the on-boarding of non-stocked machine-to-machine (M2M) devices onto its network, thanks to the streamlining of the network certification program run by partner KORE Telematics.

Kore Telematics (News - Alert), a digital wireless services provider specializing in M2M communications, is AT&T's largest Value Added Reseller of M2M network services. Together the companies will provide a streamlined network certification program for inbound non-stocked M2M devices from device manufacturers wishing to receive product approval for the AT&T network.

According to a press release, KORE has fine-tuned the process of network certification to include the streamlining of customer pre-qualification, creating a management base for integrators utilizing common module platforms. In addition the new program facilitates a “clear and concise channel” for developers funneling M2M integrated products into AT&T. The streamlined on-boarding process is expected to shorten development time for system integrators. It is also expected to reduce cost and complexity through consistent exchange of information between integrators and AT&T before lab entry and during the testing phase.

 

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On Friday, Symstream Technology Group announced that it is partnering with Machine2Machine Interactive Intelligence Inc., or M2Mi3. As per the agreement, M2Mi3, an M2M technology enabler and provider in the Asia Pacific region, will deploy Symstream (News - Alert)-enabled smart meters to the Philippines metering market.

 

Ideal for companies ready to change according to the new business environment, the new Symstream-enabled smart meter will help electric utilities companies install the meters in residential homes in Philippines. The company is also offering choice to the companies: they can choose between a postpaid meter, which can remotely read the electricity usage for residents' bills or purchase a prepaid meter allowing customers to pay as they go.

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Also, be sure to check out Technology Marketing Corporation’s upcoming M2M Conference -- collocated with TMC’s Internet Telephony Conference and Expo East 2010 (ITEXPO (News - Alert)) and 4GWE Conference -- to be held Wednesday, Jan. 20, at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, Fla.

The event will feature keynotes, workshops, networking receptions, panel discussions, and an exhibit hall packed with vendors demonstrating the latest and most innovative M2M technology solutions. To register, or for more information, click here.