The Irish telecoms regulator Comreg is planning to release one billion new phone numbers for machine-to-machine communications.
The initiative will see phone numbers assigned to cars, industrial equipment and household appliances, such as fridges and microwave ovens. Such devices will be able communicate with each other as more and more industrial and consumer technology becomes smarter and more computer based.
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The billion new numbers are intended to stop congestion on current phone networks when machine-to-machine communications are properly rolled out.
"It is Comreg's view that action should be taken immediately to mitigate the risk that any sudden snowballing demand for numbers from the machine-to-machine sector could drive future number changes that might adversely impact ordinary consumers," said the regulator.
"In Ireland, there is a real risk that existing numbering ranges will be unable to provide sufficient numbering capacity for machine-to-machine applications, while also meeting traditional numbering demands," the statement added.
The move comes ahead of 2015 when all new vehicles sold within the European Union will be required to be equipped with an eCall emergency system embedded within a mobile SIM card inside the car's systems.
This would also enable state agencies to accurately track drivers' vehicles wherever they drive.
Motor vehicles are increasingly becoming more sophisticated, with IT systems becoming part of the standard design in order to allow motorists to take advantage of technology while behind the wheel.
Car maker Renault recently released a partnership with Atos for a "connected car revolution", which will enable drivers to use touchscreen R-Link tablets built into the vehicles.
