Relentless demand for connectivity spurs new IoT markets

In our global ecosystem, one industry’s breakthrough becomes the new standard for every other.  The most recent example of this is how we’ve witnessed the rapid integration of GenAI tools into just about every business and consumer function that could be dreamt up. We’ve seen it happen over the past decade as the power of the cloud became crucial to every business with a digital footprint. And now, with recent advances in telecommunications technology and the potential to share vast amounts of information in real time, we’re on the precipice of truly transformative innovations in IoT.

While ABI Research projects we’ll close 2024 with approximately 16.3 billion IoT connections worldwide, they anticipate IoT connections will increase from 19.5 billion in 2025 to 40.1 billion in 2030. Additionally, revenue from IoT data and analytics services is anticipated to grow at a rate of 19% per year, increasing from US$91.9 billion in 2025 to almost US$218 billion by the end of the decade.

Having spent much of my career navigating the challenges of IoT development, adoption, and deployment, we’ve never had the tools available to us like we do today to truly revolutionize the way the world connects. As our digital-first, global community continues to push the boundaries of hyperconnectivity, we’re solving challenges across all markets unlike ever before, with more and better information, in real time.

I’ve lived on both sides of the coin when it comes to IoT connectivity, spending time in my career at Vodafone on the provider side as well as at Oracle, being the technology partner building solutions enabling the next generation of communications, and perhaps equally significant supporting the development of a new generation of connectivity-enabled industry applications. During this time, I’ve had the incredible honor to sit on the Advisory Board for the Internet of Things Community. I say this only to reiterate that advancing IoT technology has played a pivotal focus throughout the different phases of my professional life. Which is why the latest milestone achieved by Oracle Communications and Vodafone to provide global IoT connectivity to industries through our Enterprise Communications Platform is one I am particularly excited about.  

By integrating Vodafone’s innovative Global SIM with Oracle’s Enterprise Communications Platform, Oracle industry applications customers can leverage near real-time communications capabilities with a secure and reliable connectivity service. Furthermore, with access to Vodafone’s expansive IoT connectivity in over 180 countries, businesses will be able to operate globally and grow more efficiently.

Together, we're creating the secure, intelligent foundation that will accelerate business transformation across vertical industries - we're going beyond simple device connectivity to reimagine customer experiences and unlock new revenue opportunities. Whether this means using drones to inspect construction jobsites, remote monitoring the health of a patient, paying the bill tableside at a restaurant—none of these scenarios are possible without wireless connectivity and industry-specific applications working in harmony. We’re truly at the precipice of new generation of industry technology as it transforms the world around us.

If this article sparked your interest and you would like to learn more about the future of IoT, I encourage you to register for @IOT Community’s upcoming IoT Slam in Redwood Shores, December 11th-12th.

Oracle is proud to be an event sponsor and host for the show this year. Additionally, our experts will be participating across keynote and panel discussions. Be sure to check them out if you plan on attending or tuning in live:

·       Driving industry transformation with ubiquitous communications

·       Harnessing Edge IoT for Mission-Critical Applications: From Essential Insights to Actionable Impact

·       Women in IoT Center of Excellence Panel Discussion

·       How real-time communications improve public safety outcomes and police transparency