Image courtesy of IoT Solutions World Congress 2024
With 10,972 attendees and over 377 exhibitors, the event was packed with innovation. It showcased how the industry is getting ready for a smarter, more connected, and automated future.
The message was clear: disruptive tech like GenAI, cybersecurity, and 5G, along with new business models—think satellite partnerships, neutral network hosts, and open-source collaborations—will define the future of IoT and edge computing.
This is where the next big breakthroughs are happening in the IoT landscape.
5G Goes Private: Powering the Next Generation of Critical IoT
During the IoTSWC, 5G technology adoption in mobile private networks was a hot topic. In 2024, the increasing adoption of 5G mobile private networks creates a connected ecosystem with ultra-low latency and real-time automation. The role of technology in supporting mission-critical applications for enterprises is crucial.
At the IoTSWC, experts highlighted the significant role of IoT and multi-access edge computing in these networks. Real-world examples of 5 G’s potential included Volvo’s Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technology, which enables seamless communication between vehicles and infrastructure, and Telefónica’s use of 5G for drone-based air traffic control. China, a key partner at the congress, showcased its IoT expertise, with the city of Wuxi earning the title of “IoT capital,” where over 3,000 companies are advancing IoT technology, generating $56 billion in revenue in 2022.
Until 2023, most mobile private networks still used 4G technology because many use cases can be addressed—at least in part—by private 4G networks. However, these networks are expected to evolve to 5G radio in future years as its compatibility evolves, and the price of 5G modules and hardware decreases.
Frost & Sullivan forecasts that 5G will become the predominant mobile private network cellular technology in the next 3 years.
5G RedCap: The Future of Massive IoT Still Has to Evolve
As 5G continues transforming industries, the spotlight is now on 5G Reduced Capability (5G RedCap)—a revolutionary technology for massive IoT deployments requiring low-power battery consumption and affordable long-range connectivity. According to Frost & Sullivan, 5G RedCap is gaining traction as a compelling technology for wearables, smart city sensors, utility meters, and low-end AR/VR applications.
The key advantage of 5G RedCap is its low power consumption and high data transmission performance. It provides peak data rates higher than LTE Cat 1 and lower latency than NB-IoT, making it perfect for a wide range of applications that require reliable, efficient, and scalable connectivity.
However, the widespread deployment of 5G RedCap depends on the rollout of 5G standalone (SA) networks, which is still in its early stages. But the future looks promising—especially in China, where providers like China Mobile and China Telecom led the charge and deployed thousands of RedCap terminals.
The technology is also gaining traction in North America. In October 2024, TCL released the first 5G RedCap device powered by T-Mobile and Qualcomm. The device enables laptops and tablets to access T-Mobile’s standalone 5G technology, ensuring high-speed connectivity. It is an entry point into 5G without needing Wi-Fi or 4G LTE.
During IoTSWC, Telit, Quectel, Qualcomm, and Fibocom presented 5G RedCap products. However, the technology will take time to deploy globally, requiring evaluation and experimentation before scaling. Although 5G RedCap is a compelling technology, Frost & Sullivan expects it to be a small fraction of cellular IoT connections by 2028, considering the time it takes for the ecosystem to mature.
Satellites to the Rescue: How Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) Can Back Up 5G and LPWAN
How hybrid cellular and satellite networks can enable IoT and its growth opportunities was an example of another topic that became mainstream during IoTSWC. Satellite companies like SpaceX, OneWeb (Eutelsat), and AST SpaceMobile are accelerating the launch of satellite constellations to space, enabling direct-to-smartphone and broadband communications. Further, the demand for low earth orbit (LEO) mega-constellations of satellites for IoT connectivity applications (agriculture, oil & Gas, defense, fleet management) and broadband services (i.e., streaming, video conferencing) is also growing.
With the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) initiative to integrate 5G NR technology and NB-IoT/LTE-M for NTNs, as well as the evolution of unlicensed Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) protocols supporting NTNs, the industry will experience technology convergence and growth in innovative large-scale IoT deployments.
Companies such as Skylo, Intelsat, Sateliot, and EchoStar Mobile have become part of the change through their new solutions. For example, Deutsche Telekom presented “IoT Satellite Connect,” a connectivity service leveraging GEO satellite for massive IoT applications that leverages Intelsat broadband services, and Skylo’s for NB-IoT connectivity services. Sateliot announced a plan to deploy massive LEO satellite constellations in 2024 and 2025 for IoT connectivity integrated with 5G and NB-IoT.
The IoT-NTN industry means NB-IoT and LTE-M (eMTC) terrestrial networks are integrated with NTNs to ensure long-term connectivity. Frost & Sullivan expects the industry to grow fast, at high double-digits, between 2023 and 2028.
Unlocking the Power of IoT Data: GenAI Supercharges Managed Connectivity Platforms
The arrival of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools marks a revolutionary moment in technology. During the IoTSWC, Yasser Alsaied, Vice President of IoT at AWS, highlighted the groundbreaking convergence between GenAI and IoT, captivating participants and offering a glimpse into the future of intelligent data-driven ecosystems.
Enterprises and industry experts anticipate GenAI will trigger a radical and unprecedented transformation in the IoT industry. The introduction of AI capabilities into IoT management platforms adds cutting-edge benefits to customers. By integrating AI into IoT management platforms, companies unlock various advanced benefits: intelligent data analysis, automation, and predictive maintenance solutions that streamline operations and drive efficiency.
By harnessing GenAI’s power, IoT platforms can also make more accurate predictions and decisions at the edge in the context of private networks without relying solely on cloud-based processing.
The automotive and transportation vertical, currently the largest in cellular IoT connections globally, will be among the first industries to explore GenAI applications. Other verticals are manufacturing, smart cities, and healthcare.
SGP.32 Unlocks eSIM/iSIM Growth: A Game-Changer for Cellular IoT
During the IoTSWC, industry leaders like Thales and KORE Wireless brought attention to the new SGP.32 specification by GSMA for eSIM IoT, a game-changer set to revolutionize the IoT ecosystem.
The SGP.32 specification is poised to replace the SGP.02 specification used in machine-to-machine (M2M) eSIMs because it addresses critical challenges related to profile management and operator choice flexibility.
SGP.32 specification is revolutionary in IoT because it simplifies device management by splitting the local profile assistant (LPA) into the IoT profile assistant (IPA) and the eSIM IoT remote manager. This allows devices to operate efficiently across multiple networks, allowing for more flexible deployment and superior remote control of devices in diverse environments.
Only tests are currently occurring, but the ecosystem is ready for the commercial launch of SGP.32 with the development of pre-standard solutions. Frost & Sullivan expects that resolving interoperability with CSPs’ profiles will lead to exponential growth in eSIM IoT adoption, leveraging SGP.32 capabilities.
The Last Word
The 2024 IoT Solutions World Congress was both revealing and thought-provoking. Analysis of the discussions among industry experts, market participants, and authorities confirm that the IoT industry is undergoing a radical transformation driven by strategic imperatives such as innovative business models (e.g., CSP and satellite competitor partnerships for IoT services as well as CSP, telecom vendor, and cloud provider partnerships for 5G private networks with MEC) and disruptive technologies (e.g., AI and GenAI, 5G RedCap, 5G and MEC, and eSIM with SGP.32).
