Ever wonder how many devices that aren’t mobile phones are connected to a mobile network? Today, in a press release, AT&T announced that it has added 3.4 million connected devices — that’s eReaders, netbooks, digital photo frames, personal navigation devices, home security monitoring, smart grid devices, etc. — to its wireless network since the beginning of 2010. Nearly 900,000 of those devices were added in Q2, bringing the total number of such devices to just under 6.7 million. “AT&T has certified more than 850 specialty consumer and machine-to-machine devices […] for use on its wireless network,” boasted the press release. While the number of connected devices still pales in comparison to the number of mobile phones, this figure is sure to explode in the next several years as companies and consumers build and demand more connected devices. We’ve got the full press release for you after the bounce.
AT&T Adds Nearly 900,000 Connected Devices to Network in 2Q; Now Services Nearly 6.7 Million Connected Devices
Connected Device Leadership Enables AT&T to Mobilize Everything for Customers: eReaders, Tracking Devices, Photo Frames, M2M Devices and More
DALLAS, July 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — AT&T*, which offers the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network, announced today that nearly 3.4 million connected devices have been added to the AT&T network in the past three quarters, including roughly 900,000 connected devices in the second quarter. The total number of connected devices on the AT&T network – both emerging consumer devices and machine-to-machine – is nearly 6.7 million.
AT&T has certified more than 850 specialty consumer and machine-to-machine devices – such as eReaders, netbooks, digital photo frames, personal navigation devices, home security monitoring and smart grid devices – for use on its wireless network.
AT&T’s wireless network enables consumers and business customers access to a range of new, innovative solutions that make their lives and workplaces more efficient and productive. In addition to consumer electronics devices, these devices include rugged handsets and laptops for industrial environments, pallet tracking and utility meter-reading tools, and vending machine and healthcare monitoring devices.
Since forming a dedicated organization to focus on wirelessly connecting new categories of emerging devices in late 2008, AT&T has emerged as the clear industry leader in one of the wireless industry’s fastest growing areas. In addition, responding to the growing demand for emerging device solutions in the enterprise market, AT&T recently formed the Advanced Enterprise Mobility Solutions Group. Created in May 2010, this group delivers advanced mobile applications and solutions for both traditional and emerging devices to businesses, governments and organizations of all sizes. By collaborating with teams across service platforms, the group accelerates the mobilization of applications for business customers, developers and independent software providers.
“AT&T is the network of choice for emerging devices,” said Glenn Lurie, president of emerging devices, resale and partnerships, AT&T. “Leading consumer electronics companies and business device manufacturers are selecting AT&T because we offer advantages our U.S. competitors cannot: the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network, the GSM world standard for wireless technology – which allows customers to use their wireless devices for voice in more than 215 countries and data services in more than 185 through roaming agreements – and the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network.
“AT&T’s network is leading the world in mobile broadband usage, clear evidence that more device makers and mobile Internet customers recognize that we deliver an advanced mobile broadband experience,” Lurie said.New Categories
In addition to an already leading portfolio of emerging devices, including eReaders, netbooks, personal navigation devices, and digital photo frames, AT&T has announced plans this year to support several new devices. Those new emerging device categories include:
Healthcare: AT&T will provide the nationwide network connection for Vitality, Inc’s GlowCaps, intelligent pill caps designed to help patients take medications regularly through a series of reminders, including light, sound, text message and phone call alerts if the cap is not opened as scheduled. The AT&T connected pill caps are expected in market in the coming months.
Tracking: AT&T is providing the wireless connection for a pallet tracking device managed by American Security Logistics. The connected responder is placed in a shipping pallet and can be tracked by GPS, which helps feed information to a service bureau across AT&T’s nationwide network. The responder will eventually extend to other devices, including those used to track pets and Alzheimer’s patients.
Tablets: OpenPeak, Inc., a leading provider of multimedia touch-screen devices and device management platforms, has selected AT&T as the wireless carrier for its upcoming OpenTablet™ multipurpose computing tablet. The tablet, expected in late 2010, will combine communications, entertainment and home management capabilities. The device will feature AT&T mobile broadband connectivity.
Supporting Emerging Devices Growth
AT&T supports a variety of emerging consumer electronics and business devices through a proprietary platform – AT&T Control Center, powered by Jasper Wireless. The platform accelerates market entry for connected devices while offering unique features such as instant activation and flexible rate plans that benefit device manufacturers and end-user customers, including consumers, small businesses and enterprises.
AT&T also operates a dedicated emerging device certification lab in Austin which serves as the hub for testing network compatibility, data performance and audio quality for a broad range of non-traditional, wirelessly-enabled devices. The lab also manages field tests for these devices in markets across the country.
Consumer electronics and next generation device manufacturers are encouraged to learn more about AT&T’s emerging devices organization through the dedicated http://www.att.com/edo web site. The site includes AT&T M2M Developer Kits, a Device Certification On-Boarding Tool, and information to help prospective business allies determine the right business model, network options, product specifications, and potential customer care and distribution solutions.
*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
