The momentum continues to build in M2M, as Sprint has announced several more partnerships beyond the ones we’ve talked about here recently. The announcement of the newest partners was made at the CTIA show, the industry’s gathering spot for all things wireless.

Each of our partnerships is designed to bring additional specialized capabilities to the M2M portfolio and yield “transformative value” for businesses across a broad range of industry sectors.

The newest announced partners, all of whom are leveraging the ever-dependable Sprint network, are in transportation, utilities and SmartGrid, security, and more. Here’s a quick rundown:
•    Popstar Networks, which is delivering wireless broadband connectivity for digital signage networks. Businesses can deliver rich media content for interactive and passive digital displays, targeting customers in virtually any location.
•    Grid Sentry, with a device that allows utilities to improve the efficiency of the distribution grid. Providing detailed information about the grid, it gives utility operators the information needed to make effective real-time decisions.
•    Feeney Wireless, an existing partner, is releasing a new line of connectivity devices for M2M applications designed to accelerate time-to-market for developing connected devices and simplifying integration. In addition, Feeney Wireless and Sprint are partnering to deliver advanced mobile and M2M solutions to market.
•    Macheen is partnering to aid consumer electronics manufacturers and retailers in delivering simple, no-contract options for consumers to connect their devices to the Internet
•    Omnilink, an existing partner, gives businesses 24/7 wireless monitoring of valuable assets (such as bank bags, ATM machines, computers, vehicles, data storage devices, etc.) through the Omnilink Asset Locator tracking service.
•    RedDotNet, offering an unconventional wireless self-service kiosk solution, a turnkey approach to touchscreen kiosk technology, content management, analytics, support, and professional consultation.
•    Trimble, an existing partner, is introducing Trimble DriverSafety on the Sprint network.  It gives offers fleet tracking and fuel management capabilities and gives companies insight into risky driving behavior
•    Wireless Ronin Technologies, with a hosted digital signage solution.
•    SmartLabs, providing wireless energy management solutions that let business owners and homeowners access and control energy consumption from a simple web portal or smartphone.

As I commented in the announcement, these partners bring distinct enhancements to our M2M solutions set, which translates into even more finely tuned options for customers. That allows Sprint M2M customers to draw on the specialized expertise of a wide range of M2M solutions partners. Sprint’s role is to simplify the development and implementation process through our ONE (Open-Network-Execution) approach.

This approach combines an open environment, reflected in the Open Device Initiative, open business models, and the Sprint M2M Collaboration Center; reliable 3G and 4G networks that are out in front in location-based services; and the execution of M2M strategies through the Emerging Solutions Group, the soon-to-be-launched Sprint Command Center, and overall M2M expertise and capabilities.