A group of leading mobile operators announced a global M2M service for corporate customers, designed to “simplify and promote” the adoption of M2M communications worldwide.

The service is being launched by the the M2M World Alliance, a partnership of eight operators with a footprint across more than 60 countries. The group was formed in July 2012.

They claim the new service is the “first multi-operator global solution”.

The idea is to provide customers with connectivity throughout the alliance’s coverage, charged at in-market rates.

Other benefits include easier compliance with local regulations and the potential for multinational customers to provide global technical support from a single market, said the alliance.

Competition includes single operators with global coverage. Vodafone is the most obvious rival, not least because it is getting some traction with its own M2M service.

The alliance was formerly known as the M2M Multi-Operator Alliance but recently rebranded.

The eight operators involved are Etisalat, KPN, NTT Docomo, Rogers, SingTel, Telefonica, Telstra and Vimpelcom.

Together, they have coverage embracing Europe, Russia, Middle East, North America, Latin America, Japan and other parts of the Asia-Pacific region.