In this episode of the M2M Radio Show, host Peggy Smedley sits down with Mark Hull, CEO of SkyTel, to discuss the merger of Velosita Wireless and SkyTel — and why the newly combined company chose to carry the SkyTel name forward.

Mark breaks down the unique advantages paging networks bring to machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, including superior in-building coverage and broadcast capabilities that allow one-to-many transactions — a critical feature for applications like remote thermostat management and fleet tracking.

Then, Managing Editor Cassie Del Plar dives into M2M in retail, spotlighting Metro Group's Future Store Initiative and how RFID technology powered by IBM software is transforming inventory management, product freshness tracking, and supplier visibility — just in time for the holiday shopping season.

Plus, Peggy and Cassie debate why companies like IBM insist on calling M2M by other names (like "smart freezer") instead of just calling it what it is.

Topics covered:

• The Velosita/SkyTel merger and rebranding story
• Why paging networks are ideal for M2M applications
• SkyTel's verticals: government, fleet management, energy & utilities
• Metro Group's smart freezer and RFID retail applications
• The ongoing debate over M2M terminology

📡 Learn more: skytel.com | m2mpremier.com