Choosing the Best Carrier for Your M2M Site

The four major carriers in the United States offer M2M services under their business plans. Some second-tier carriers and mobile virtual network operators also offer M2M. However, not all M2M service providers are created equal. Spotty service can mean the difference between a successful transaction and a dissatisfied customer. When your business depends on a reliable connection to your M2M sites, it’s important to select the right carrier for the job. There are many variables that can affect cellular reception, and all carriers have areas of poor or no coverage. Let’s look at some of the factors you should take into consideration for maximum reliability when selecting a wireless carrier.

Equipment Specifications/Limitations

Some carriers allow you to use equipment purchased through other vendors. If you are using your own equipment rather than buying it from the carrier, the frequency bands the equipment supports will determine which carrier you can use. This is especially important if your M2M site is using older equipment. Some carriers do not allow M2M equipment to access certain bands. Check with the carrier for details.

Mobile Technology

If you are given a choice, selecting the right technology and frequency band is also important. Some frequencies are better at penetrating buildings than others, and some carriers only offer technologies on certain bands. For example, AT&T offers 2G service on 850, 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz bands, while T-Mobile only offers 2G on 850 and 1900 MHz. In general, lower frequency bands have better building penetration. It is possible to get around this limitation if you boost signal strength using a cellular repeater. In areas where broadband is available, femtocells could also be a choice.

Environmental Factors

If the signal at your site is marginal at best, changes in conditions can cause your site to lose service. Atmospheric changes, vegetation, network density, the weather and the number of devices using the tower can cause dropped connections. Because many of these conditions are temporary, it can be difficult to link a specific event or cause to the connection problems. Therefore it’s essential to choose the best carrier with the strongest signal at your chosen location.

The Easy Shortcut to Making the Right Decision

The Squid-Pro takes the guesswork out of selecting an M2M provider. This handheld wireless scanner tells you which carriers have coverage at your M2M site, what technologies are available, the frequency bands and channels they are broadcasting on and which service has the strongest signal. It’s fast, too. You’ll have all the information you need to make your decision within minutes of powering on the device. Contact us at BVS for more information about the Squid-Pro today.