The Department of Telecom has issued 13-digit numbers to telecom operators for the trial of machine-to-machine (M2M) communications like smart electric metres and car tracking devices.
State-run telecom operator BSNL and private telecom operators Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, Idea Cellular and Vodafone have received the 13-digit numbers for testing purposes, PTI reported today.

According to a letter sent by the DoT to mobile operators, the authority has approved allocation of one million codes for testing purpose for each LSA (licence service area)” to service providers.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended that all telecom licence holders should be allowed to provide M2M service using any spectrum. However, it has suggested that critical M2M services should be provided by those companies who have licensed spectrum.

The regulator has also recommended that government to issue new category of licence for M2M services for companies interested in providing or operating services in this segment only.