Key Takeaways

• Mobile operators are leveraging AI and 5G capabilities to enhance IoT connectivity at MWC Barcelona.
• Partnerships, such as between Eseye and AT&T, aim to simplify global connectivity via eSIM technologies.
• The evolution to 6G is expected to address the shortcomings of 5G, focusing on device-level connectivity needs.

The Evolving Landscape of IoT Connectivity

A buzz around telecommunications was palpable at MWC Barcelona, where mobile operators were excited about the potential of AI workloads, low-latency use cases necessitating 5G, and new profit and partnership opportunities. A significant area of focus was IoT connectivity, with operators struggling to meet market demands. Other companies have stepped in to create seamless global cellular IoT solutions.

Highlighting this trend, the partnership between Eseye and AT&T was featured prominently. Their joint initiative, AT&T Global SIM Advanced, integrates Eseye’s AnyNet eSIM with its Infinity connectivity management platform (CMP). This fully managed multi-IMSI eSIM solution aims to provide customers with reliable global connectivity, even when permanent roaming is not viable. Nick Earle, CEO of Eseye, remarked that a single eSIM enables original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to produce universally compatible devices, significantly reducing operational complexities and costs.

The collaboration between Eseye and AT&T underscores a broader acknowledgment among operators that traditional methods of piecing together global connectivity can lead to complexity and a poor user experience. Companies like Aeris, which recently integrated Ericsson’s IoT business and serves 100 million devices globally, are also working towards simplifying global cellular connectivity while offering added services.

Aeris has introduced various connectivity choices, allowing enterprises to combine different carrier networks into a unified global network with flexible commercial arrangements. CEO Aziz Benmalek emphasizes the need for simplicity in IoT, stating that existing methods of achieving connectivity can be overly complex.

In contrast, floLIVE has developed its own global IoT core network to streamline service offerings. This approach allows them to comply with varying regulatory requirements, catering to complex markets such as Brazil and Turkey. Roni Cohen, co-founder of floLIVE, highlights the growing sophistication of customers, especially mid-sized enterprises pushing for innovation in connectivity.

Rather than viewing themselves as competitors to mobile network operators (MNOs), these companies see themselves as enablers, facilitating new revenue models for operators by accommodating IoT demands. The operators, in turn, can generate revenue from IoT solutions that were previously inaccessible. This collaborative ecosystem approach enables MNOs to tap into a broader market while leveraging partnerships for optimal service delivery globally.

The fear of losing customers to local providers due to inadequate service offerings is spurring mobile operators to seek solutions and partnerships. Cohen notes that providing optimal services through collaborations can mitigate this risk. Aeris is actively working with 30 operators to ensure its global platform meets customer needs, focusing on operational excellence and scalability.

The growing adoption of IoT devices, combined with innovations such as embedded SIMs (eSIM and iSIM), marks a new phase in the IoT connectivity market. The impending completion of the SGP.32 3GPP standard is anticipated to eliminate the necessity of retrofitting consumer connectivity to address IoT requirements.

The dialogue around 6G is also emerging as a critical focus, with early discussions stressing the importance of device connectivity over consumer services. Rajesh Pankah from Interdigital highlights that 6G aims to create a framework that facilitates high-speed, high-capacity device applications rather than being shaped by diverse vertical industry needs. Lessons learned from 5G indicate a need for a flexible platform that allows for scalable devices to better accommodate developing use cases.

As the IoT landscape continues to mature, collaborations and technological advancements offer promising prospects for operators seeking to enhance global connectivity and revenue streams in the evolving digital economy.

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