The IoT market has entered a new phase with Giesecke+Devrient Mobile Security (G+D) today unveiling its new market ready Integrated SIM (iSIM) solution for the IoT based on a module by Telit Cinterion.

With its cutting-edge iSIM operating system for a chipset from Sony Semiconductor Israel (Sony), G+D is now providing a solution specifically designed and optimized for use in NB-IoT (Narrowband IoT) applications.

The iSIM is central to improving the connectivity, security and sustainability of next-generation IoT devices. G+D wants to accelerate its iSIM innovation and therefore, in cooperation with Telit Cinterion, a global leader in IoT enablement products, services, and solutions, has developed a new solution ideal for a wide range of NB-IoT use cases such as smart metering, smart agriculture, asset tracking and more.

A key component of the solution is the iSIM or iUICC (integrated universal integrated circuit card), which, unlike pluggable SIM cards or permanently soldered eSIMs, is a tamper-resistant element (TRE) within a system-on-a-chip (SoC). This means that the iSIM is an isolated hardware component combined with a baseband chipset to form a single connectivity module. This design gives the iSIM numerous advantages in areas such as power consumption, cost, sustainability and security. The small footprint enables the production of small, lightweight and therefore cost-effective devices. In addition, iSIMs meet high sustainability requirements.

The isolated hardware, combined with G+D’s secure and certified iSIM operating system, ensures a high level of security. With the participation of a global tier-one global network operator, G+D has successfully qualified its iSIM-OS on the Telit Cinterion NE310L2 NB-IoT module, based on Sony’s Altair ALT1255 chipset, and can now be offered to OEMs. This marks a first milestone for G+D, as one of the first providers of an operating system for Sony’s low-power, cost-optimized Altair chipset that is specifically tailored to NB-IoT use cases.

G+D’s secure iSIM-OS is platform-independent and ensures optimal functionality on various iSIM-enabled chipsets, including Sony’s next-generations Altair ALT1250, ALT1255 and ALT1350 LTE-M and NB-IoT chipsets. This compatibility underscores G+D’s commitment to providing solutions that can be used for a wide range of IoT applications and devices.

“G+D is investing heavily in the research and development of iSIM technology. In close cooperation with industry partners, we want to drive iSIM innovation forward. The successful development and qualification of an optimized iSIM-OS for a cost-effective and commercially available NB-IoT product is a perfect example of this in action”, said BeeGek Lim, Global Vice President, Head of Business Line Digital Offerings at G+D. “In general, one of our main priorities is to provide secure solutions for a wide range of IoT applications and devices, so that users can realize the full potential of the IoT with flexible and cost-optimized connectivity”.

“Telit Cinterion is happy to be part of the co-operation between G+D and Sony Semiconductor Israel on this first innovative technology achievement”, said Jose Sanchez, Senior Director Product Management, IoT Connectivity & Services at Telit Cinterion. “We look forward to working with our partners to stay at the forefront of iSIM technology for IoT in the coming years.”

“We are excited to collaborate with Telit Cinterion and G+D to enable iSIM on our LPWA products. ALT1255 is the first NB-IoT chipset on the market with iSIM”, said Dima Feldman, VP Product Management and Marketing at Sony Semiconductor Israel.

“iSIM enables connectivity without additional physical hardware, which simplifies the solution and logistical onboarding flow, and making it more affordable which is a key for the industrial IoT market”.

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A new report from the IoT analyst firm Berg Insight has found that around 33.3 million people in North America were using connected care solutions at the end of 2023.

The figure refers to users of medical alert systems and remote patient monitoring (RPM) solutions in Canada and the US. RPM is the largest segment of the connected care market with a total of 29.9 million users at the end of 2023. The market for medical alert systems is considerably smaller with an estimated total of 5.2 million users. There is an overlap between the market segments as medical alert users can also be equipped with an RPM solution, and vice versa. The market is forecasted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.4 percent during the next five years to reach 57.2 million connected care users by 2028.

RPM solutions comprise connected medical devices and monitoring services that are used for remote management of patients suffering from arrhythmia, asthma, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, diabetes, hypertension or obstructive sleep apnea.

The leading use cases for RPM have thus far been sleep therapy monitoring. Patients that suffer from sleep-disordered breathing such as obstructive sleep apnea are typically prescribed an airflow generator, including continuous positive airway pressure, bilevel positive airway pressure and automatic positive airway pressure devices. However, many patients find the devices unpleasant to use and poor compliance is common. Payers are increasingly requiring that patients comply with their treatment plans to be reimbursed for the device which has driven equipment providers to connect the devices.

ResMed is the largest player of connected airflow generators, partly thanks to the company’s decision to include a cellular IoT module as standard in its Air Solutions product family. Philips is the second largest provider. Examples of major players in the RPM segment include Abbott, Accuhealth, Biofourmis, BioTelemetry, Current Health, Lark Health, Medtronic, Omada Health, Omron Healthcare, Optimize Health, Philips, Teladoc Health (Livongo) and Withings.

In the medical alert market, Connect America has emerged as the largest service provider after the acquisition of the Lifeline business from Philips in 2021, and is followed by Lively, Medical Guardian, MobileHelp, Life Alert Emergency Response, ModivCare and ADT. In 2024, Medical Guardian acquired Mobile Help from Advocate Aurora Enterprises bringing their combined active users to over 600,000.

“Both mobile and in-home medical alert systems are popular in North America at the same time as new innovative products enter the market including sensor-based systems and smart lamps for fall detection. Major consumer-oriented technology companies also incorporate PERS features in standard wearables, smart speakers and smartphones”, says Vatsala Raina, IoT Analyst at Berg Insight.

The North American market for connected care solutions is affected by several trends and developments that will have an impact on the competitive landscape during the following years. Changing demographics is driving the demand for home care, while technological developments and regulatory changes affect the competitive landscape for solution vendors. The industry is becoming more patient-centric which calls for integrated systems and improved interoperability of connected care solutions. One example of this development is the on-going convergence of the medical alert and remote patient monitoring markets, where more and more medical alert providers have started to offer remote patient monitoring solutions. This includes integrated solutions that enable a combined delivery of medical alert and remote patent monitoring services. Care providers will start to offer more and more proactive and predictive services, by continuously analysing user data and acting on abnormalities. Such solutions rely on data not only from medical alert devices, but also from other sources such as smart home sensors, healthcare records and connected medical devices.

Mrs Raina concluded:

“Artificial intelligence has made significant progress in these solutions, from disease detection to personalizing treatments analysing large amounts of patient data. Cybersecurity has at the same time become very important and it is clear that more work and investments need to be done to ensure that patients and their data are kept safe also in the future.”

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Collaboration Enhances Network Availability for Utility Modernization, Municipal Service Delivery, and Resource Conservation Initiatives.

Netmore Group, a leading global LoRaWAN network operator, and Vantage Towers, a major provider of telecommunications tower infrastructure to the European market, today announced a strategic partnership to deliver national LoRaWAN connectivity across Portugal to support the digital transformation and sustainability initiatives of utilities, municipalities, and other organizations.

Like many regions across the globe, addressing water scarcity is a leading initiative across Portugal and a leading use case for low power wide area network (LPWAN) sensing technology. Record droughts this year have forced significant water restrictions and strained the operations of water utilities throughout the country, particularly in the southernmost Algarve region, where reservoirs are only 20% full on average. Additionally, Portugal loses nearly a third of its water through leaks, theft or illicit use, according to ERSAR, the country’s national water supply and sanitation agency. To combat these challenges, water utilities are adopting Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and within those initiatives, deploying LoRaWAN technology for water metering, leak detection, and to collect data identifying usage irregularities.

Through this partnership, Netmore will deploy gateways on Vantage Towers’ extensive infrastructure to support its Network-as-a-Service offering as it expands and densifies its already operational carrier-grade public LoRaWAN network in the region. Vantage Towers operates over 84,000 sites across ten European markets, including more than 3,500 towers in Portugal. It provides high-quality, resilient infrastructure for connectivity, partnering with operators to expand network coverage, capacity and services.

Netmore’s Network-as-a-Service model is designed to meet the demands of utilities, application providers, and device manufacturers. It simplifies network connectivity, making it possible for organizations to easily connect to existing LoRaWAN networks for growing use cases such as water metering, waste management, or environmental monitoring, among others, while avoiding the challenges of building out network infrastructure and the costs associated with it. Enhanced LoRaWAN connectivity in the region will enable utilities and other organizations to glean new insights from their infrastructure, operations, and assets to make data-driven decisions, increase operational efficiency, and optimize processes.

“Connectivity is essential to build an inclusive digital society and our partnership with Netmore will improve the operations of critical sectors of the economy and drive sustainability forward,” said Paolo Favaro, Vantage Towers Portugal Managing Director, Vantage Towers.

LoRaWAN adoption continues to climb globally because of its technical strengths in providing long-range connectivity at a low cost, with low power consumption, and flexible deployment models. The ease of deployment and cost-effectiveness of LoRaWAN now makes it possible to build networks and add sensors even where it was previously infeasible or cost-prohibitive, which increasingly leads to it being chosen for massive IoT deployments.

“Forward-thinking organizations are seeking out new ways to achieve sustainability, optimize operations, and reduce costs – but to do that, they need robust and accessible network connectivity,” said Talis Talor, managing director, Netmore Portugal.

“Our partnership with Vantage Towers combines our secure, future-proof LoRaWAN network and global IoT expertise with Vantage Towers’ widespread infrastructure across Portugal, enabling digital transformation at scale to support water utilities in AMI and other use cases that ultimately improve quality of life.”

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Eseye, a leading provider of global IoT connectivity solutions, has announced its partnership with Sateliot, the leader in the IoT satellite connectivity landscape, dedicated to delivering reliable and global 5G from Space IoT solutions using advanced LPWAN satellite technology.

The partnership aims to enable seamless and ubiquitous global connectivity in locations where there is no cellular coverage from a Mobile Operator. It uses the new 3GPP Release 17 (Rel.17) standard to achieve multi-RAT connectivity to non-terrestrial networks (NTN) from a single SIM solution.

Sateliot is the first company to operate a Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) 5G / NB-IoT satellite constellation that functions to provide a seamless extension of existing cellular networks using the advanced Rel.17 protocol to cover 100% of the planet.

The technology provides seamless connectivity, allowing cellular-enabled IoT devices to connect directly to its satellite network when terrestrial cellular coverage is unavailable. This process functions as standard roaming, providing a smooth and reliable user experience. This ensures customer devices can enjoy uninterrupted and reliable IoT connectivity across both terrestrial and satellite infrastructures, providing ultra-high-quality connectivity in the remotest environments.

Positioned in polar orbits, its satellites provide:

Complete global coverage by geographic coordinate.
Reaching even the most remote and underserved areas of the planet.
Paving the way for IoT use case innovation and global adoption.

Sateliot is the most advanced LEO NB-IoT Satellite operator, enabling thousands of clients in 50 countries around the world. The partnership with Eseye will provide comprehensive IoT connectivity solutions that cater to a wide range of applications and industries, driving innovation and operational excellence worldwide.

Gianluca Redolfi, Sateliot’s CCO: “Our strength comes from being ahead in operations, sales, and regulatory compliance. While many competitors face challenges like landing rights or sales, Sateliot stands out because we started working on the standard early, were the first to support it, and have gained strong backing from the industry.”

With the advancements of Eseye’s multi-RAT flexibility to utilise Sateliot’s satellite-based connectivity, urban and industrial IoT deployments will be able to access secure global coverage as well as reliability in remote and underserved areas where zero cellular coverage from any operator is available.

Release 17 standardises using satellites with cellular modems and antennas, enabling connections to geostationary satellites and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations. Even in areas with poor terrestrial coverage, devices can switch to satellite networks, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity on highways, in forests, or in remote locations.

Eseye: Terrestrial Excellence and Multi-Network Flexibility

Leveraging partnerships with over 700 operators in 190 countries, Eseye already ensures broad and reliable network access for IoT deployments.

With its multi-RAT capabilities, Eseye supports various radio access technologies (e.g., LTE, eMTC) to enhance connectivity resilience and flexibility. With a focus on Urban and Industrial IoT, Eseye solutions are ideal for applications in smart grids, EV charging, manufacturing, and smart cities where robust terrestrial networks are essential.

Adam Hayes, COO at Eseye comments:

“Customers want their devices to connect and by working with Sateliot we can extend coverage beyond the current cellular offer. Together, we
are paving the way for seamless, global connectivity that takes Eseye’s already highly resilient network to new heights to enable the interconnected world of tomorrow.”

Sateliot: Pioneering Satellite-Based Global Connectivity

Offering scalable global connectivity, Sateliot ensures IoT devices remain operational regardless of geographical challenges. While targeting applications and industries operating in remote or globally dispersed locations, its solutions are specifically designed to support agriculture, logistics, and environmental monitoring.

Employing satellite-based LPWAN and NTN NB-IoT technologies to extend IoT connectivity, Sateliot goes beyond traditional terrestrial limits by delivering cutting-edge satellite-based IoT connectivity and thus extending coverage to remote and underserved areas where terrestrial networks are limited or unavailable.

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IoT Analytics reports that the global cellular IoT market continues to grow, surpassing 4 billion cellular IoT connections as of late 2024.

This accounts for approximately 22% of overall global IoT connections.

Key drivers of this growth include the adoption of LTE Cat 1 bis and 5G. Connections are projected to increase at a CAGR of 15% between 2024 and 2030.

Several mobile operators stood out in the first half of 2024, including China Telecom, Airtel, KDDI, LG U+, Orange, and Verizon. These providers achieved year-over-year market share gains in H1 2024.

Key insights:

Global cellular IoT connections reached 3.9 billion in H1 2024, according to IoT Analytics’ updated Global Cellular IoT Connectivity Tracker & Forecast.
Based on ongoing tracking and analysis, cellular IoT connections have surpassed 4 billion as the end of 2024 approaches, representing approximately 22% of global overall IoT connections.
Connections are expected to grow at a CAGR of 15% between 2024 and 2030, driven by LTE Cat 1 bis and 5G.
Notable mobile operators that gained market share in H1 year-over-year include China Telecom, Airtel, KDDI, LG U+, Orange, and Verizon.

Select quotes:

Satyajit Sinha, Principal Analyst at IoT Analytics, comments that

“The growth of 5G IoT, particularly in areas like automotive connectivity and fixed wireless access (FWA), is transforming the connectivity landscape by providing low-latency, high-speed networks to previously underserved regions.

“The upcoming 5G Reduced Capability (RedCap) rollout is expected to accelerate this transition further, offering a solution bridging the gap between full 5G and legacy LTE networks. RedCap will provide a more efficient and cost-effective option for IoT applications that require moderate speeds, enabling new opportunities across sectors, from smart cities to industrial IoT.”

Market update

Global cellular IoT connections reached 3.9 billion in the first half of 2024, according to IoT Analytics’ quarterly Global Cellular IoT Connectivity Tracker & Forecast (updated in November 2024), representing 20% growth YoY and 181% over the last 5 years. IoT Analytics’ ongoing analysis has found that as we approach the end of 2024, cellular IoT connections have surpassed 4 billion, representing approximately 22% of the projected 18.8 billion global IoT connections by the end of 2024 (more on this in the analyst take section toward the end).

LTE Cat 1 bis and 5G propel cellular IoT growth

The growth of LTE Cat 1 bis and 5G IoT underscores the evolving landscape of cellular IoT connectivity. LTE Cat 1 bis fills a crucial gap by balancing performance and power efficiency, especially in markets where LTE-M is unavailable. Moreover, LTE Cat 1 bis is now competing with LTE-M in some regions, such as Europe. Meanwhile, 5G IoT unlocks new possibilities for high-bandwidth, low-latency applications. Stakeholders in the IoT ecosystem have been implementing these technologies when developing future-proof solutions and strategies.

1. LTE Cat 1 bis

LTE Cat 1 bis has significantly contributed to cellular IoT growth, with connections increasing by 68% YoY in H1 2024. Based on 3GPP Release 13, LTE Cat 1 bis features a single antenna design optimized for low-power applications. Four key factors are fueling its adoption:

Market demand: In China, the absence of LTE-M and the limitations of NB-IoT have accelerated the adoption of LTE Cat 1 bis. The country accounts for 85% of global LTE Cat 1 bis connections and experienced a 56% YoY growth in the first half of 2024.
Balanced performance: LTE Cat 1 bis offers balanced high-speed capabilities—up to 10 Mbps downlink and 5 Mbps uplink—with low power consumption. It supports power-management features like Extended Discontinuous Reception (eDRX) and Power-Saving Mode (PSM), reducing power usage by allowing devices to sleep when not transmitting or receiving data. This makes it suitable for IoT applications requiring long-term operation without frequent battery replacements, such as smart metering, fleet management, healthcare devices, and payment solutions.
Cost-effectiveness and simplified design: LTE Cat 1 bis’ single antenna design reduces hardware complexity and costs compared to the original LTE Cat 1, making it an attractive option for manufacturers and solution providers.
Global coverage and futureproofing: LTE Cat 1 bis operates on existing LTE networks globally, offering extensive coverage. As 2G and 3G networks are decommissioned, it provides a seamless migration path that ensures longevity and continued support for IoT applications.

2. 5G IoT

5G IoT connections have also experienced substantial growth, driven by advancements in 3GPP Release 15 and beyond. These developments enhance capabilities for high-speed, low-latency applications critical for modern IoT solutions. Key reasons for 5G IoT growth include:

Market demand: China’s significant investment in 5G infrastructure has created a robust ecosystem supporting widespread adoption. The availability of affordable 5G-compatible devices and modules has lowered barriers for industries to implement 5G IoT solutions. Analysis from the tracker shows that China holds approximately 80% of global 5G IoT connections and experienced 79% YoY growth in the first half of 2024.
Enhanced performance and capabilities: 5G IoT offers ultra-low latency (as low as 1 ms) and high data rates (up to 20 Gbps), essential for applications requiring immediate responsiveness and high throughput. With the ability to support up to a million devices per square kilometer, 5G accommodates the escalating number of IoT devices.
Two key applications. Fixed wireless access (FWA) and the automotive sector are driving 5G IoT growth in the following ways:

FWA: FWA contributes 45% of global 5G IoT connections in the first half of 2024 by leveraging 5G networks to deliver high-speed internet access to homes and businesses, particularly in areas lacking fiber infrastructure. This approach offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional broadband services and expands connectivity in underserved regions.
Automotive sector: The automotive sector, including transportation, supply chain, and logistics, accounted for 26% of global 5G IoT connections during the same period, propelled by connected vehicles. The industry is integrating 5G IoT to enhance real-time navigation, telematics, and infotainment. Additionally, 5G supports future technologies like Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X), enabling communication between vehicles, infrastructure, and other road users. Since vehicles produced now will remain in use for over a decade, integrating 5G ensures they stay compatible with emerging technologies throughout their lifespan.

Top cellular IoT market gainers in H1 2024

China : China Telecom

In H1 2024, China Telecom gained 5.3 percentage points in market share YoY in the Chinese market. Helping drive this growth was the company’s strategic focus on IoT-enabled solutions for sustainability and urban management. In August 2024, it reported some of its key initiatives, including:

Green lighting: China Telecom offers a proprietary AI+IoT solution that promotes energy efficiency and carbon reduction by analyzing and predicting building traffic patterns. According to the company, this solution has saved over 6 million KWh of electricity and reduced over 1,700 tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 165 cities in 31 provinces.
YiZhi city smart hub: By integrating its Xirang cloud computing and Xinghe AI platforms, China Telecom created the YiZhi smart city hub, a unified infrastructure to streamline urban applications, boosting smart city operations.
Enhanced operations: China Telecom has deployed a proprietary IoT sensing cloud platform at the world’s largest single-building airport that supports over 20 applications, such as real-time coordination, decision-making, and passenger flow guidance, to enhance operational efficiency.

Japan: KDDI

KDDI gained 2.4 percentage points within the Japanese cellular IoT market, driven by strides in connected vehicles and AI-driven IoT solutions. Examples include:

Connected vehicles: In February 2024, KDDI partnered with Sony Honda Mobility to enable global 5G connectivity for the AFEELA brand, enhancing user experiences in the CASE vehicle segment.
Disaster preparedness: In March 2023, KDDI demonstrated telecommunications resilience with large-scale disaster drills, building trust in critical communication infrastructure.
AI, IoT, and 5G integration: In June 2024, KDDI signed an agreement with 3 partners to commence planning and construction of what is expected to be the largest AI data center in Asia. KDDI plans to use the data center to support its WAKONX AI-driven digital transformation platform, which supports various industries, including mobility, logistics, and retail. Alongside KDDI in this venture are US-based server producer Super Micro Computer, Inc., Japan-based electronics vendor Sharp Corporation, and Japan-based software-as-a-service provider Datasection, Inc.

South Korea: LG U+

LG U+ gained 7.8 percentage points in the South Korean market YoY. Driving this growth is the company’s focus on IoT-enabled solutions and autonomous driving. Example solutions include:

IoT-based safety solutions: In February 2023, LG U+ partnered with Korea-based waste disposal company Ecorbit to provide smart safety solutions at Ecorbit’s worksite. These solutions include IoT+AI-based safety equipment, AI forklifts, and driver behavior analysis.
Autonomous vehicles: In April 2024, LG U+ collaborated with Rideflux to develop Level 4 autonomous driving solutions using AI and 5G. The number of LG U+’s connected vehicles grew 40% YoY in H1 2024.

United States: Verizon

Verizon gained 1.3 percentage points in the US cellular IoT market. This gain stems from advancements in IoT connectivity and global orchestration. Examples include:

FWA and connected devices: In October 2024, Verizon reported an increase in its FWA user base and connected consumer devices like wearables and retail IoT devices.
Global IoT orchestration: In July 2023, Verizon introduced its Global IoT Orchestration to enhance multinational cellular IoT connectivity. Its first international mobile network operator partners were Bell Canada and Norway-based Telenor.
Telematics and connected vehicles: In February 2024, announced partnerships with automotive manufacturers Audi and AFEELA, offering private 5G and helping to drive connected car innovation.

India: Airtel

Airtel gained the most cellular IoT market share in India, largely due to its continued focus on the country’s fast-growing utility sector. Key initiatives include:

Strategic partnerships: In December 2023, Airtel and IntelliSmart Infrastructure formed a strategic alliance. Airtel provides IntelliSmart with an end-to-end smart energy monitoring solution under a single service-level agreement (reducing complexity and deployment times) while also expanding the presence of its IoT solutions in various sectors.
Smart metering initiatives: In January 2024, Airtel partnered with Adani Energy Solutions to connect over 20 million NB-IoT-powered smart meters across multiple states, enabling real-time energy management.

Europe: Orange

Orange gained the most market share in the European cellular IoT market by promoting IoT adoption and smart city solutions. Examples include:

IoT Continuum kits: Since 2021, Orange and 3 partners have offered IoT Continuum kits to simplify IoT development and attract more enterprise customers. In September 2023, the partnership launched two IoT Continuum kits aimed at helping its customers begin and prove IoT projects. Orange’s partners for IoT Continuum are US-based IoT solutions provider Semtech, France-based electronic equipment design company LACROIX Group, and Switzerland-based semiconductor manufacturer STMicroelectronics.
Smart water meter deployment: In March 2024, Orange partnered with Spain-based water management systems provider Hidroconta to digitalize over 100,000 smart water meters in Madrid, improving efficiency and reducing operational costs.

It is worth noting that Orange is successfully selling IoT connectivity outside of the European market. For example, in September 2023, the company signed an agreement with the King Abdullah Financial District Development & Management Company to design, build, and deploy an end-to-end smart city platform. The project aims to integrate and connect existing technologies within the district while leveraging AI and data analytics.

Analysts take on the cellular IoT market outlook

Double-digit growth projected for cellular IoT connections. After 20% growth YoY to 3.9 billion in H1 2024, ongoing market analysis shows that cellular IoT connections surpassed 4 billion by the end of Q3 2024 and are projected to reach 4.2 billion by the start of 2025. From there, the Global Cellular IoT Connectivity Tracker & Forecast forecasts connections to grow at a CAGR of 15% between 2024 and 2030.

India represents strong market opportunities. A key growth market to watch is India, where the government is undergoing a project to deploy 250 million smart meters by 2027. This initiative represents a $20 billion opportunity in energy management aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, enabling advanced data analytics, and optimizing resource utilization in the world’s most populated country. Large-scale projects such as this that adopt cellular IoT technologies will play a crucial role in modernizing energy.

5G IoT has been a game-changer for operators. On the technology side, 5G IoT is playing a crucial role in enabling higher bandwidth applications such as automotive connectivity, extending beyond connected vehicles to include vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications. Meanwhile, 5G FWA is also seeing rapid adoption, as it provides low-latency and high-speed internet similar to traditional broadband connectivity in areas lacking traditional broadband infrastructure, a positive for remote IoT connectivity needs.

5G Reduced Capability (RedCap) on the horizon. Looking ahead, 2025 will mark the first commercialization of 5G RedCap connections. This technology bridges the gap between full-scale 5G and existing LTE categories, like LTE Cat-4, with expectations of reaching Cat-1 levels with 5G Enhanced RedCap (5G eRedCap) that will be released in 3GPP Release 18. These advancements enhance device efficiency and cost-effectiveness, facilitating a smoother transition to next-generation connectivity and supporting a wide range of IoT applications, including mid-speed use cases like wearables and smart cameras.

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The in-building wireless market is transforming significantly, with private 5G networks poised to close the considerable gap with Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS).

According to global technology intelligence firm ABI Research, the private 5G market, currently about 14 times smaller than DAS, is expected to grow at a remarkable compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 63%, compared to DAS’s 21% through 2029. This rapid growth could result in a market value of approximately US$19.4 billion for private 5G by 2029, as compared to US$44.2 billion for DAS, signaling a dramatic shift in how enterprises approach in-building connectivity.

“While DAS will remain the go-to solution for large-scale environments like airports, offering broad coverage with minimal investment in new infrastructure, private 5G is gaining traction across various sectors due to its support for advanced technologies like mmWave, low latency, and IoT applications,” explains Sam Bowling, Research Analyst at ABI Research.

“As demand grows for next-gen applications and more customized connectivity solutions, private 5G is poised for broader adoption in the coming years, particularly in greenfield sites where tailored networks can be fully optimized.”

However, the path to widespread adoption of in-building wireless solutions has challenges. Providers must address issues such as the need for scalable, reliable coverage in complex environments, diverse building architectures, and the growing demand for high-bandwidth, low-latency connectivity to support next-generation applications. Additionally, the high costs and complexity of network installation and upgrades complicate widespread adoption.

To overcome these challenges, vendors have developed innovative solutions. For example, Ericsson’s Radio Dot, a neutral host system, has been approved by major U.S. carriers and already provides flexible coverage in dense, high-traffic environments like airports. Similarly, Nokia’s AirScale portfolio enables operators to deploy future-proof private 5G networks that support advanced technologies like mmWave, IoT, and automation. These solutions are helping operators meet the evolving needs of both commercial and industrial sectors, positioning them to scale networks and maintain high-performance connectivity in the future.

Bowling concludes, “The in-building wireless market is poised for continued growth, driven by DAS and private 5G deployments. While private 5G is set to expand faster than DAS, catering to industries requiring customized, high-performance networks, DAS will remain crucial for large-scale environments needing broad coverage. To stay competitive, vendors should prioritize trends like network slicing and neutral host solutions, as these will enable more flexible, scalable, and cost-effective deployments. By aligning their solutions with these evolving needs, vendors can ensure their technologies remain relevant and are widely adopted in the future of in-building connectivity.”

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Fibocom today debuts the ready-to-market 5G RedCap plus Wi-Fi 5/6 solution developed from the 5G RedCap module FG131, which is positioned to accelerate the commercialization of 5G FWA in the form of CPE, mobile hot-spot, and USB dongle, etc., satisfying the diverse market demands.

According to a report updated in September 2024, GSA has identified 143 operators in 61 countries and territories worldwide that have been investing in public 5G SA networks through trials, planned or actual deployments. With the implementation of 5G SA network infrastructure, 5G-enabled FWA shipments became mainstream, reaching 10.2 million in 2023. The growth of 5G FWA CPE shipments is expected to accelerate further, accounting for 42% of shipments in 2024 compared with 34% in 2023, according to the CPE Vendor Survey released by GSA in August 2024.

The launch of Fibocom’s ready-to-market 5G RedCap plus Wi-Fi 5/6 solution is the ideal 5G lightweight solution accelerating the migration from 4G FWA to 5G FWA, elevating the Quality-of-Service with faster network connection, more-agile network slices services and reliability in 5G SA network environment.

Key takeaways

Advanced 5G RedCap plus Wi-Fi 6 (AX3600): The FG131 5G RedCap module integrates with a Wi-Fi 6 module developed from the Qualcomm WCN6856, reaching maximum 3600Mbps data throughput with the support of 2×2-40MHz@2.4GHz and 2×2-160MHz@5/6GHz dual-band concurrently and the support of 4K QAM for enhanced data transmission efficiency.
Medium 5G RedCap plus Wi-Fi 6 (AX1800): The FG131 5G RedCap module integrates with a Wi-Fi 6 module developed from the Qualcomm QCA2064, reaching maximum 1800Mbps data throughput with the support of 2×2-40MHz@2.4GHz and 2×2-80MHz@5/6GHz dual-band concurrently.
Entry-level 5G RedCap plus Wi-Fi 5: The FG131 5G RedCap module integrates with a Wi-Fi module developed from the Qualcomm QCA6174 through a serial port, delivers maximum 867Mbps speed with the support of dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz simultaneously.

Leveraging 5G SA network coverage, optimized power-saving, and reduced complexity, 5G RedCap is gaining more and more attention within the IoT industry. The Fibocom 5G RedCap module FG131 offers a high-performance and ultra-reliable wireless solution for application scenarios that are cost-sensitive and power-enduring. Packaged in LGA form factor at the size of 37mm*39.5mm, Fibocom FG131 is pin-compatible with Fibocom LTE Cat 6 module FG101 and FG621 series that allows smooth migration from 4G to 5G RedCap. Compliant with 3GPP Release 17, it supports 5G SA and reaches peak rates of up to 223Mbps downlink and 123Mbps uplink theoretically.

With these key features combined, the Fibocom 5G RedCap module FG131 series delivers a new level of 5G network experience while maintaining high reliability and cost-effectiveness, especially for terminal devices used in mobile scenarios. Apart from the hardware optimization, FG131 also supports the OpenCPU and OpenWRT software features and an abundant of rich interfaces to realize the flexible and easy integration of FWA devices.

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Expanded global partnership and co-innovation enhance secure, cost-effective wireless access, digital services, and experiences for mobile enterprises across 180 countries.

Cisco, worldwide technology leader and NTT DATA, a global digital business and IT services leader, today announced an expanded partnership to transform how global enterprises access wireless connectivity.

As demand for flexible and cost-effective connectivity surges, Cisco and NTT DATA are responding with a unified solution backed by world-class support services from both companies. Historically, connectivity has focused on connecting office environments through landlines. However, with the advent of eSIM in the market, the time has come to think broader and deliver network connectivity securely wherever needed.

Cisco and NTT DATA’s expanded partnership propels their vision of delivering exceptional, secure, and innovative digital services to meet the surging demand for flexible connectivity. The partnership will leverage Cisco’s eSIM technology, initially embedded into Cisco infrastructure solutions. The eSIM will connect to NTT DATA’s Transatel network, enabling customers to activate, provision, and configure Cisco solutions ‘out of the box’, for a simplified provisioning and setup process to launch secure mobile branches anywhere, on-demand with ongoing enhanced network device management.

Cisco’s eSIM technology will be the cornerstone of this transformation, paving the way for digital connectivity. With eSIM technology at its core, enterprises can easily scale and manage their network needs, ensuring their networks are always connected and optimized for peak performance.

By integrating Cisco’s networking technologies and NTT DATA’s global connectivity capabilities, the two companies will empower enterprises to effortlessly connect to the network, using cellular technologies for primary or secondary connectivity. This advancement will provide faster onboarding to connectivity with ease and ensure new levels of security and resilience, paving the way for the future of enterprise connectivity.

Supported by this collaboration, enterprises will be able to activate, manage, and monitor Cisco infrastructure, connecting to NTT DATA’s Transatel network, remotely across 180 countries while benefiting from simple and flexible pricing plans. The initiative promises to transform the digital experience for mobile workforces worldwide.

“There are multiple use cases across industries such as retail, manufacturing, hospitality, financial services and others, where there is a real need to standup secure mobile branch services at short notice,” said Andrew Brown, Practice Lead IoT Research, Omdia. “The need to lower setup and installation costs as well as provide vital services, such as backup in a managed and secure end-to-end fashion are pivotal to customers. This integration between Cisco and NTT DATA will simplify and streamline the process of getting customers up and running at scale and will provide an excellent complement to fixed line offerings.”

“With NTT DATA, we strongly believe we can enable a faster, simpler and more convenient way for enterprises to securely connect their organizations through an enhanced setup and provisioning process,” said Masum Mir, SVP/GM, Cisco Provider Mobility.

“This collaboration is a game-changer for the enterprise market as it delivers a variety of valuable use cases, such as on-demand SD-WAN, fast scaling for 5G carriers, and edge computing for IoT applications.”

“Together with Cisco, NTT DATA is setting a new standard for enterprise connectivity and customer experiences,” said Shahid Ahmed, Group Executive Vice President of Edge Services at NTT DATA. “This partnership will deliver the future of connectivity today, allowing businesses to focus on their digital transformation journeys without worrying about the complexities of network management.”

Empowering modern industries

The joint solution and services from Cisco and NTT DATA are expected to benefit numerous industries, including:

Financial Services: Ensuring uninterrupted services delivery with simplified management of branch and temporary location connectivity and enhanced security measures.
Retail: Enabling omnichannel experiences with increased resilience for PoS systems backup, security and mobility for pop up locations and customers.
Hospitality: Centralizing and simplifying cellular connectivity management across multiple locations for seamless guest experiences as well as providing convenient and secure connectivity for events, outdoor activities and systems backup.
Manufacturing: Reducing downtime with self-provisioning connectivity solutions that enable rapid secure deployments for remote locations.

“Today’s mobile and distributed enterprises face increasing pressure to simplify operations while accessing real-time, high-quality data for faster, more informed decision-making. Seamless, secure, and scalable connectivity solutions are now essential for unlocking innovation and growth in a connected world,” said Alejandro Cadenas, Associate Vice President at IDC and mobility, 5G and IoT lead in Europe. “These advancements reflect a broader shift toward democratizing access to advanced connectivity solutions, ensuring organizations of all sizes can capitalize on emerging opportunities with agility and confidence.”

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New research from Wireless Logic reveals a growing trend for enterprises to turn to their IoT connectivity providers for support with low-code IoT application development.

As internal IoT skills gaps widen, enterprises are no longer just seeking connectivity – they are turning to external resources like application enablement platforms and hosting solutions to streamline development and increase productivity.

Key findings of the Wireless Logic report include:

49 per cent of cellular IoT adopters expect connectivity providers to offer professional services for software and application design, making this the most popular value-added service from a list that included data orchestration and ‘plug-and-play’ hardware
39 per cent of cellular IoT adopters are looking for an application enablement platform, and 37 per cent expect application hosting services
46 per cent of all respondents identified a lack of software development resources and skills as a major challenge in leveraging cellular IoT technology for the first time.

The findings highlight the growing need for simplified development processes. McKinsey’s Developer Velocity concept highlights how reducing barriers for developers can drive greater innovation and faster results. In the IoT space, where development must integrate hardware, manage complex protocols, and ensure secure communications, this velocity is more difficult to achieve. Low-code and no-code platforms are emerging as critical solutions to these challenges.

Iain Davidson, Senior Product Manager at Wireless Logic, commented:

“Low-code platforms don’t just address the skills gap, they fundamentally transform how businesses approach IoT development. By handling the complexity of integrating hardware and managing secure communication protocols, these platforms enable teams to focus on what truly drives value – innovation and differentiation. For example, enterprises can significantly cut development time, freeing up resources to focus on critical areas like security or customised features that set them apart from the competition.”

“As IoT adoption accelerates, low-code solutions are becoming essential to staying competitive. They not only provide the agility needed to adapt quickly to market demands but also help enterprises overcome the persistent challenge of limited in-house expertise, allowing even smaller teams to deliver robust IoT solutions efficiently.”

The research, conducted by Kaleido Intelligence, surveyed a global sample of 1,000 cellular IoT adopters and non-adopters across various industries.

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Globalstar Europe Satellite Services Ltd., today announced that value added reseller Spotter has seen sales of its satellite IoT-enabled horse tracking collar more than double in the last 24 months.

Mongolia-based Spotter has reached a milestone of over 30,000 Horse Tracker collars deployed, enabling the reliable monitoring of free-roaming horses across Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Describing sales uptick of nearly 160% since October 2022, Spotter Co-Founder Tsogbadrakh Surenjargal said, “The growth has been phenomenal.”

Each Spotter collar is fitted with Globalstar’s SmartOne C satellite IoT transmitter, so the solution helps herd owners keep tabs on their valued equines wherever they travel in this sparsely populated region, even when well beyond the reach of cellular signals. With SmartOne C’s small size, versatility, and low price, Spotter is seeing rapid uptake of its lightweight, rugged, and economical tracking collars.

There’s a growing understanding among the horse owning community of the value and reliability of the satellite IoT technology solution, according to Surenjargal. “People are becoming aware that terrestrial telecoms infrastructure like mobile networks are simply unable to provide the ubiquitous and always-on tracking capability of satellite.”

Spotter’s customers are further benefiting from recent expansion of Globalstar’s Eurasian ground station gateway network, now providing even greater reach and network resilience while enjoying the low maintenance and long battery life of SmartOne C.

“For people across Central Asia, horses are their livelihood as well as the living embodiment of their history and culture; we’re incredibly proud that Globalstar satellite IoT technology is helping owners track and safeguard their precious animals in one of the world’s most desolate landscapes, and in the most extreme climatic conditions. Many congratulations, again, to our partners at Spotter,” commented Mark O’Connell, Globalstar General Manager for EMEA & APAC.

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