AT&T (News - Alert) reportedly announced that SmartLink from OutdoorLink, Inc. an all-weather programmable device for outdoor advertising has been certified to operate over AT&T’s wireless data network.

SmartLink is a wireless, M2M lighting controller which is designed to be suitable for the outdoor advertising industry. It allows outdoor companies to turn off unsold faces of display plus track and monitor power outages remotely. The controller also enables power restoration, check on bulb outages and get daily proof of performance from display, OutdoorLink officials said.

With the device, companies will be able to monitor and control utility consumption via a Web-based application remotely. Weather-proof, it incorporates a soldered VQFN8 SIM and advanced machine to machine technology in outdoor display advertising to complete PCS Type Certification Review Board, or “PTCRB (News - Alert),” standards testing over wireless networks.

The VQFN8 SIM provides extended service life and reliability of M2M cellular devices in outdoor applications thereby providing environment friendly solutions. It is most suitable for billboard advertising and transportation, said company sources.

It can withstand adverse weather conditions, vibration, corrosion and other problems that reduce the normal service life of outdoor display advertising media. The OutdoorLink solution also reduces lifetime maintenance costs for M2M equipment.

Hamish Caldwell, executive director, product marketing management, AT&T Business Solutions, said that AT&T and OutdoorLink will bring this innovative technology to serve the wireless data needs of the outdoor display advertising market. 

“AT&T is an early leader in machine-to machine (M2M) communications and is delivering on the market’s exciting potential,” Caldwell said. “Our goal is to help drive wireless capabilities into a wide variety of devices beyond traditional handsets for businesses.”

Digital signage technology has enabled outdoor advertising companies to evolve towards vibrant, creative messaging using digital content which is more attractive than static roadside billboards. Digital signage and cellular M2M technology offers enough flexibility that allows advertising companies to update content and displays, rapidly and more frequently. Images can also be rotated from different advertisers and lighting can be controlled through SmartLink.

“With over 7,500 SmartLink units deployed in the market, more than $2.5 million has been saved in utility costs in the past 15 months,” Dwight Jennings, founder and CEO of OutdoorLink, said, adding that the potential for direct utility savings and indirect business cost savings from using SmartLink are substantial.

To find out more about Eric Cheung, Hank Hultquist and AT&T, visit the company at the 4GWE Conference. To be held Jan. 20 to 22 in Miami and collocated with ITEXPO East 2010, the 4GWE Conference will focus on the realities of deploying 4G technologies and delivering broadband wireless applications to a growing community of wireless broadband consumers. Eric Cheung is speaking during “Applications and Networks, Oh My.”Hank Hultquist is speaking during “Net Neutrality: Can Open be governed?” Don’t wait. Register now.