UAE’s integrated telecommunications service provider du has signed an agreement with Gemalto, a world leader in digital security, to deploy its Machine Identification Module (MIM) communication technology in the country.

Designed to make business processes more efficient and cost-effective, Gemalto’s Cinterion MIM cards will be integrated in all major machine-to-machine (M2M) initiatives by du for a variety of end-markets, from oil and gas, retail, healthcare, utilities, to power management, as well as the transportation sector and will contribute to vast operational improvements in the region’s industrial sectors.

The solution allows for remote machines to directly communicate with central management systems and enable increased productivity, said a senior du official.

"Machine to Machine communication is a dynamic collaborative tool and is perfectly suited for core sectors such as oil and gas, manufacturing, transportation and healthcare," explained Farid Faraidooni, the chief commercial officer of du.

"This is an emerging new focus area for us as part of our strategy to tap new business models and revenue streams. We chose Gemalto for their expertise in M2M technology which exemplifies our reliable and enhanced services to our customers," he added.

Gemalto’s MIMs, he said, are specialized SIM platforms designed for M2M wireless communication and will operate on du’s network.

They meet the demanding requirements of varying industrial environments and ensure M2M applications resist the climatic challenges in the UAE, endure a long lifespan and support miniaturization requirements, he stated.

Eric Claudel, the senior VP of Telecommunication at Gemalto Middle East said, "Du is fuelling innovation in the UAE and the deployment of MIM cards has the potential to change the industry’s landscape in the region."

"M2M is surging globally with analysts forecasting it will become a $28 billion market by 20141. Gemalto and du are dedicated to enabling this growth in the Middle East,” he added.-TradeArabia News Service