The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has asked Indian telecom service providers to start using 13-digit digit numbers for machine-to-machine (M2M) services starting from July 1.
The DoT further asked all telecom providers to ensure that their network be aligned with 13-digit numbering for M2M SIMs before July 1, 2018. From this date onwards, all new M2M mobile connections will be allocated 13-digit numbers only.
Migration of existing 10-digit M2M numbers to 13 digits will start by October 1 and is expected to be completed by December 31, 2018. While some media websites have been reporting wrongly, however, this decision will not have any impact on mobile phone SIMs.
The approved scheme and a letter from DoT on 13-digit M2M communication was sent to various departments on February 9, 2018.
Machine to machine (M2M) refers to direct communication between devices using any communications channel, including wired and wireless. The communication can include industrial appliances that enables a sensor or meter to communicate the data it records (such as temperature, inventory level, etc.) to application software that can use it.
But, with the recent expansion of IP networks, machine to machine communication has changed into a system of networks that transmits data to personal appliances quicker and easier while using less power.
