Global ICT consulting firm, International Data Corporation (IDC), in its latest report on machine-to-machine (M2M) and Internet-of-Things(IoT) adoption across the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, pointed out the increasing demand of M2M and IoT applications within the ICT ecosystem from enterpises in the country in their bid to improve operational efficiencies and enhance the customer/citizen services they provide These applications vary from horizontal offerings such as fleet management to vertical-specific services such as ATM connectivity, said IDC. The adoption is also demand-driven with the increasing number of offerings emerging from systems integrators and telcos and the development of fixed and mobile infrastructures across the country. IDC added that while most of the applications are essentially M2M based, IoT solutions are also increasingly being applied, particularly in Smart City projects
According to IDC, security and monitoring, smart grid, and smart traffic are some of the emerging applications that are expected to become more prevalent in the Kingdom over the coming years. IDC believes that telcos should pioneer smart project initiatives and drive the development of new solutions.
Tolga Yalcin, a senior research analyst for telecommunications and networking at IDC Saudi Arabia
Saudi telcos should not be overly cautious in their approach to IoT. They should be proactive in capturing opportunities by driving market development and building end-to-end solutions, rather than restricting themselves solely to providing connectivity.
