TRAI Releases Key Recommendations for M2M & Critical IoT Services

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has issued crucial updates to strengthen the Machine-to-Machine (M2M) ecosystem, with a strong focus on critical IoT services, security, and regulatory clarity.

New Classification Framework: 

 IoT services will now be classified as ‘critical’ only if they meet two criteria: 

1. Require ultra-reliable, low-latency, high-availability connectivity 

2. Disruption could impact national security, the economy, public health, or safety 

3. 
   

Domain-Specific Identification: 

Rather than entire sectors, specific services within domains (e.g., emergency healthcare, smart grid systems) will be marked critical, ensuring precise regulation. 

Security First: 

TRAI recommends mandatory certification (MTCTE) of M2M modules used in critical sectors identified by NCIIPC to enhance trust and cybersecurity.

Technology-Neutral Approach: 

Whether it’s wired, licensed, or unlicensed wireless, any M2M tech meeting performance benchmarks can be used for critical services. 

Simplified SIM & Service Provider Transfers: 

DoT to enable smooth transfer of M2M SIMS and M2M Service Provider registrations during mergers/acquisitions—bringing agility to a growing digital infrastructure. 

TRAI also proposes an online repository listing critical IoT services and related telecom benchmarks, ensuring transparency and sector-wide awareness.

For full details, please refer official recommendation paper from here: Recommendations on the Issues Related to Critical Services in the M2M Sector