Mobistar, the market leader for Machine-To-Machine applications in Belgium, has been selected as ‘International M2M Center (IMC)’ for ‘Machine-To-Machine connectivity’ within the France Télécom group. For a two-year period minimum, Mobistar will be a supplier for Machine-To-Machine SIM cards in the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) market and the international M2M deals and will provide the associated services for the France Télécom group.
Mobistar has been operating in the Machine-To-Machine business since 2002, with a wide range of applications in various sectors. In Machine-To-Machine applications, information is automatically sent from a terminal via the mobile network to a server, both nationally and internationally. The Machine-To-Machine applications can be subdivided into 3 main sub-areas: telematics, telemetry and mobile payment. Currently, M2M applications cover fields as diverse as fleet management, telemetry and remote maintenance, and are aimed at all business segments and companies, no matter what their size may be. Many customers have already opted for the Mobistar M2M solutions. At the end of March 2009, Mobistar had over 110,000 active M2M cards, which results in a market share of over 50%.
This success is the result of Mobistar’s excellent knowledge of the market, as well as the right competencies for meeting the market needs and supplying the right technology, both in Belgium and abroad. Mobistar has developed a specific M2M ecosystem with Service Providers, modem suppliers, M2M consultants and other organisations with a focus on Machine-To-Machine.
France Télécom has therefore decided to designate Mobistar as its International M2M Center (IMC) for ‘Machine-To-Machine connectivity’ for the France Télécom group. The IMC will develop and supply SIM cards and connectivity offers specific to M2M applications by adapting itself to the business, operation and issues of each company, regardless of where it is located The launch of this international activity will not only create jobs but also extra revenue for Mobistar.
“Mobistar has proven that it is one of the top European players in the Machine-To-Machine market because we have a thorough understanding of the M2M ecosystem. The International M2M Center in Brussels is the recognition by the France Télécom group of our years spent focusing on the Machine-to-Machine market” says Benoit Scheen, CEO of Mobistar.
According to Barbara Dalibard, Senior Executive Vice President of Orange Business Services: "Machine-to-Machine is one of the priorities in the strategy of Orange Business Services. We have been a forerunner in this domain and today we are even farther ahead. Now that the market is really starting to take off, we are ready to offer our customers the best M2M solutions adapted to their individual needs. The opening of the International M2M Center in Brussels serves as proof.”