Introducing the homeless mobile device

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SignalSet may have broken the bond that has long tied a specific mobile device to a specific mobile network.

The small machine-to-machine (M2M) solutions provider has launched the industry’s first multi-network telematics solution, which allows a wireless connected device to switch between different operators’ networks in real-time as network conditions and even data pricing policies change. Traditionally all wireless devices are tied to a “home” network, which handles not only the bulk of the device’s communications needs but also manages the device and customer relationship when it does need to roam onto another network. That home network bond keeps phones tied to a single operator and a single bill while keeping M2M services on a preferred operator’s network in any given country. Even in the wholesale sector, where mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) have network relationships in place, a device is still tied to a specific network in any given location. The Amazon Kindle either works with Sprint or they work with AT&T, not both. M2M MVNOs like Kore Telematics wholesales capacity from numerous U.S. operators but it keeps individual devices tied to specific networks. But SignalSet is seeking to sever that home network bond by signing multiple wholesale relationships but not designating a home network. Instead its devices can chose the best network available to them at any given time or location, based on any number of factors ranging from coverage to congestion to cost per byte transmitted, said Peter van der Gracht, CEO of SignalSet.


Introducing the homeless mobile device