The After-market category of applications usually involves retrofitting connectivity to products already installed and working in the field, for example connecting vending machines and monitoring environmental conditions. They tend to automate operations already running and are typically introduced to gain operational cost savings. These applications occur in all business sectors and require high levels of technical support to implement. As a result, they tend to be relatively low to medium volumes and medium to high cost per unit. Break-even point and ROI are important considerations for these and, as M2M solution costs have declined over time, so more of this type of application has met breakeven and ROI criteria.

Regulatory applications are created by the introduction of new regulations, usually associated with particular applications. Road pricing for HGV vehicles in Germany and congestion charging in London are typical applications, as are AMR metering applications in a growing number of countries. These tend to be national or city based, have lengthy gestation periods and design cycles and are often subject to tendering processes. Connectivity is usually (but not necessarily) designed-in during manufacture, so that unit costs are kept low with high initial volumes until the base has been covered. These applications are very specific and only apply to particular market sectors.