OneM2M

OneM2M is a global standardization initiative for machine-to-machine (M2M) communications and the internet of things (IoT). It was established to develop a common service layer that enables interoperable M2M/IoT deployments across diverse networks, devices, and applications, while decoupling applications from underlying transport technologies.

OneM2M is a collaborative effort among major standards bodies and industry groups, including ETSI in Europe and ATIS and TIA in North America, with participation from ARIB and TTC in Japan among others. It publishes a family of specifications that define a modular architecture and standardized interfaces to support broad interoperability, reuse, and scale.

The technical framework centers on a three-layer approach: the application layer, where IoT applications reside; the common service layer, which provides core services such as device management, data management, mobility, security, and interoperability functions; and the transport and network interfaces that connect devices to the service layer. The specifications define standard RESTful APIs and bindings for common transport technologies such as HTTP, MQTT, and CoAP, along with security models, identity management, resource representations, discovery, and interworking features.

OneM2M has evolved through multiple releases, commonly referred to as Release 1, Release 2, and Release 3, each adding capabilities such as expanded device and data management, enhanced interoperability, and broader domain support. The standard is designed to enable cross-domain interworking across smart cities, energy and utilities, industrial automation, healthcare, and other IoT sectors, reducing vendor lock-in and fostering scalable deployments.

Adoption of OneM2M specifications by manufacturers, service providers, and researchers supports interoperable IoT services and cross-vendor integration, contributing to a more cohesive global IoT ecosystem.