5G IoT: A reality check on the roadmap to global IoT connectivity

The prospect of 5G to completely transform the Internet of Things (IoT) has driven the mobile industry into a frenzy. If you’re following telco providers on LinkedIn, then you’re probably seeing new posts and press releases about 5G and IoT every other week. This excitement, however, is more industry-driven than market-demanded. The enthusiasm is fueled by the defense of hefty investments made by operators, who anticipate that 5G will be the cornerstone of future IoT networks.

As an industry, are we relying too heavily on the technological promises of 5G, failing to see how the global infrastructure is being developed to support 5G, 6G, and beyond?

5G for IoT: Is this real life? Or is this just fantasy??

5G has achieved impressive technical capabilities, most notably low latency connectivity. Specifically for many IoT applications, the excitement surrounding 5G runs the risk of overstating its potential before the integrated ecosystem as a whole is prepared to deliver.

Strict requirements for connectivity, energy efficiency, reach, reliability, and latency apply to a variety of IoT use cases. For example, ultra-low latency is vital for applications like autonomous vehicles. However, the focus for massive-scale IoT deployment may be misplaced.

Much of the IoT's current promise leans on low-power technologies like NB-IoT and LTE-M, which, despite common misconceptions, are part of the existing 4G infrastructure rather than 5G. Existing Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technologies are suitable and already meet the basic requirements of many IoT devices today at a lower cost.

In fact, most IoT applications do not require the ultra-low latency and high bandwidth that 5G is optimizing for.

Beyond technology limitations, the IoT ecosystem faces significant regulatory and industry hurdles that 5G has not yet overcome. Regulations for deployed connectivity solutions vary tremendously between countries and regions. Different spectrums, certification processes, security protocols, and more create fragmentation that challenges global compatibility.

So why then is the industry placing such a strong emphasis on 5G for IoT deployments, when the global deployment of these technologies is fragmented — creating barriers for the creation of global IoT products?

Will IoT ever truly go global?

As an industry, we often talk about taking things on a grander, global scale. But one inescapable reality is that the telecommunications industry also continues to operate largely within domestic borders rather than offering true worldwide connectivity.

Historically speaking, the deployment of network technologies has not lived up to market expectations. It’s impractical for a worldwide product since the telecoms market still operates primarily on a national rather than an international level. Although there have been investments made in some regions, a cohesive, worldwide 5G offering for IoT is still a long way off.

The problem isn't just technological—it's systemic. The industry has over 900 operators who need to not only invest in and deploy these technologies but also to embrace the concept of a universally open and interoperable network.

Acceptance of IoT's global nature is lacking. This is a significant barrier to the development of a worldwide IoT 5G ecosystem.

Confronting the global challenges of 5G for IoT

Entrenched industry dynamics and business models have not fully evolved to facilitate the level of cross-border cooperation required between operators to jointly invest in global IoT deployments.

Regulatory variances across borders, diverse data sovereignty laws, and the economic uncertainties regarding ROI present formidable barriers. Surely, operators face significant challenges in this shift.?

Furthermore, the technical undertaking of achieving interoperability and upgrading existing networks to 5G is daunting. Operators are also required to rethink their business models, forging global partnerships and competing in a market where technology quickly becomes commoditized.

Operators must also navigate customer expectations for high-quality, seamless service, and customize IoT solutions to suit regional nuances. Overcoming cultural barriers to understand and engage with local markets is yet another challenge. Additionally, geopolitical issues such as trade policies and technology standards disrupt the advancement of a global IoT strategy.

So where do we go from here?

Until regulations are further unified worldwide and telcos demonstrate a willingness to integrate networks at scale beyond territorial boundaries, the full vision of 5G as the connectivity fabric for a globally interconnected IoT remains immature.

Addressing these ecosystem gaps will be paramount for 5G to drive continued investment in its further development, specifically for IoT in the long run.?

Industry hype has propelled 5G forward, with the belief that niche use cases may justify investment in the technology. However, for the vast majority of IoT applications, existing technology suffices and is only partially deployed.

The real investment must be in the acceptance and adaptation of how the telecom industry operates. Operators need to shift their perspectives, recognizing their role in fostering an international, interconnected IoT landscape. Then and only then can we, as a sector, assert that we are establishing the foundation required to eliminate legacy problems and pave the way for 5G and beyond.

Resources:

GSMA. Mobile IoT Deployment Guide. October 2022. https://www.gsma.com/iot/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Mobile-IoT-Deployment-Guidelines-Oct-2022.pdf?

GSMA. Road to 5G: Introduction and Migration. April 2018. https://www.gsma.com/futurenetworks/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Road-to-5G-Introduction-and-Migration_FINAL.pdf?

K.F. Muteba, K Djouani, T. Olwal. 5G NB-IoT: Design, Considerations, Solutions and Challenges. Procedia Computer Science, Volume 198, 2022, Pages 86-93, ISSN 1877-0509,

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2021.12.214. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877050921024534

Roy, D.; Sadhu, S.; Nandi, S. Advantages of 5G-IoT over LTE-M or Nb-IoT Enhancing Next Generation Technologies. IET Conference Proceedings, p. 296-301, DOI: 10.1049/icp.2021.1172 IET Digital Library, https://digital-library.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/icp.2021.1172