AT&T Planning New Connected Devices, M2M

AT&T Inc. will capitalize on the Jasper Wireless applications design platform to create new categories of connected mobile devices, including personal navigation, e-readers, mobile Internet devices, gaming, health care, tracking and in-car navigation systems, among others.

The companies have entered into a multiyear agreement to connect and support a variety of emerging consumer electronic and business devices on AT&T’s nationwide wireless network.

“This is a significant step for AT&T as we continue to gain momentum with our emerging device strategy,” said Glenn Lurie, president of emerging devices and resale for AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “It’s the ‘technological underpinnings’ to make our strategy possible.

“With Jasper Wireless, we’re positioned to reach the market even faster with high-performing devices, optimized for our wireless network,” said Lurie. “We’re also now equipped to pair these devices with the most sensible business model, enabling us the ability to offer customers the flexibility they desire in pricing and data plan choices – making these new categories of devices even more attractive for consumers and businesses.”

Through the agreement, AT&T becomes the exclusive U.S. carrier on the Jasper Wireless platform. Financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed. The companies expect to connect the first emerging device under the agreement in the coming months.

“Connecting consumer electronics and machine-to-machine (M2M) devices to a wireless network requires a unique set of assets,” said Jahangir Mohammed, CEO, Jasper Wireless. “We’ve built a complete service platform with the applications that enable our customers to build, deploy and manage connected devices with the lowest total cost of operations. We help them embed connectivity easily, get to market quickly and deliver a superior user experience so they can deploy their connected devices profitably and at scale, across multiple countries. Our platform with AT&T’s superior network is the solution that will grow this category.”

For some AT&T-powered devices, Jasper Wireless’ applications will provide automated operational management capabilities, including custom device provisioning, instant activation, real-time diagnostic tools and detailed billing and usage reports – managed through a Jasper Wireless core software-as-a-service platform designed exclusively for M2M and consumer electronics communications.

As more consumer electronics and M2M devices come to market with embedded connectivity, market success depends on finding the right business models to reach disparate demographics and population segments.

AT&T created its emerging device organization in October as part of a strategic initiative to introduce wireless capabilities to a host of new consumer electronics, business devices and applications beyond the traditional handset.

The new organization is a key component of AT&T’s business strategy to further grow its wireless penetration and develop new distribution models.