Europe : Spectre is launching an online service package to allow customers to connect their remote telematics devices to their business systems, based on the new Vodafone UK M2M (machine to machine) connectivity solution. Telematics applications are a growing market segment in the field of mobile data transmission. Vodafone UK has released a new M2M tariff aligned with the special characteristics of machine communication designed for the frequent transmission of small quantities of data over GPRS.

Under its agreement with Vodafone UK, Spectre will stock and supply SIM cards to users of GSM modules, and will support them with Spectrenet, a package of M2M managed services. This enables data from the modules to be integrated into an established IT infrastructure. Spectrenet provides live data streaming capabilities, enabling data from remote devices to be uploaded to a PDA, Internet or Intranet or other established IT and communications infrastructure. Billing for the whole package, including airtime, will be handled by Spectre.

According to Jeremy Flynn, head of commercial partnerships at Vodafone UK, "The partnership with Spectre will build on Vodafone's M2M tariff with a service package that enables customers to gain additional value from the data they receive. Spectre is well-positioned to develop solutions for customers with Vodafone UK, and to adapt new service solutions as customer needs evolve and grow."

Spectre marketing director, Douglas Gilmour added, "Whether it is deployed in the remote retrieval of meter readings or the remote control of vending machines, wireless networking of machines is on the increase. We already address this market with our range of GSM modules, and, by adding airtime, we are offering our customers a complete solution for their wireless communications needs. Spectrenet M2M managed services enhance this powerful package, by providing a path for customers to integrate their remote devices into their established communications and IT infrastructure."