Yettel Strengthens Business Offering with M2M Improvements

Yettel is a market leader when it comes to the share of active SIM cards used for M2M communication, according to the most recent survey by the National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH).

Nevertheless, the telco is strengthening its position in M2M; the provider has made Long Term Evolution Machine Type Communication (LTE-M) technology, developed explicitly for M2M and internet of things (IoT) communications, available on its network.

Such developments go beyond Yettel’s narrow-band (NB) IoT coverage, which has already reached 70% in Hungary, and the provider’s ability to quickly react in installing technology to add NB IoT coverage to isolated, previously uncovered areas in need.

“Adjusting our mobile network to suit M2M communications is essential in today’s business landscape,” Gábor Fülöp, business sales and marketing director at Yettel Hungary, tells the Budapest Business Journal.

Vast numbers of devices with low data traffic and bandwidth requirements (such as sensors in the meters of a utility company, for example) are being connected to mobile networks, Fülöp explains.

“Such devices can only remain affordable if their capabilities are just sufficient enough to serve their purpose, without adding extra features that are not used,” Fülöp says.

Keeping technology prices at affordable levels has proven to be essential for the success of a piece of technology; this is how early adopters of an initially costly technology pass on cheaper, more advanced versions for mass adoption.

Exponentially Expanding

Beyond sensors in utility meters, however, M2M communication solutions in use and development extend into other areas, such as healthcare, transport safety, and cybersecurity. This technology needs reliable network connections and continuous growth.

“Network capabilities today are exponentially expanding to adjust to more complex solutions, moving beyond occasional one-off communication of sensors and meters,” Fülöp adds. The rolling out of fifth-generation connectivity today allows for streaming high-quality audio-visual content and the complete mobility of two-way M2M communications.

“Understandably, the adoption of more complex sensors and devices are increasing production costs, which is driving purchasing prices higher. However, technology developers and manufacturers are working on assembling these novel constructs of cheaper, already well-tested parts to keep costs at affordable levels,” Fülöp says.

Yettel’s network service offering caters to these high-demand operations. Yettel Hungary has recently introduced its LTE-M connection, which enables the sending and receiving of short message system (SMS) data and voice calls between machines. This feature was impossible on the earlier NB-IoT networks.

“These functions by Yettel Hungary are significantly expanding the possible application of new technologies. Our LTE-M coverage extends to almost 60% of the whole country, delivering significant added value to any business subscribing to our services,” Fülöp adds.

Yettel, which eyes a dynamic expansion of its network’s capabilities, believes that both the NB IoT and LTE-M deliver significant strength to its network offering in Hungary.

“While our most recent developments are expected to enhance the game predominantly in the corporate users’ landscape, LTE-M is compatible with smart devices, which will seep into the vertical of residential use, and take-up will become more significant there as well,” Fülöp concludes.

This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of June 17, 2022.