IoT Transition Topics for 2024

Just before the end of the year, we at Transforma Insights unveiled our key ‘Transition Topics’ that will shape the Internet of Things landscape during 2024. Sponsorship opportunities for Position Papers and Virtual Briefings are available.

We undertook a similar process in 2023, looking at the key themes where we could see some seismic change occurring. On that back of that list we covered critical topics such as Connectivity Management Platforms, cloud-to-edge, and device/connectivity cross-optimisation. Some examples of Transition Topics coverage included reports covering on eSIM/remote SIM provisioning and extended coverage of IoT regulations through our newly launched Regulatory Database. As part of the 2023 Transition Topics, as well as content published to the subscription Advisory Service, we also released sponsored Position Papers and White Papers, with associated Virtual Briefings and Webinars, related to the themes. These included working with floLIVE (on transitions in the Connectivity Management Platform landscape), Eseye (on the need to be ‘Connected-by-Design’), Telit (on requirements for IoT to be delivered as a managed service) and Wireless Logic (tackling the thorny issue of IoT security).

Transition Topics for 2024

For the coming year we have a set of 2024 Transition Topics covering new areas and evolutions on some of the themes explored in 2023. The topics will be:

1. IoT and data regulations

The coming year is set to see a dramatic increase in the impact of regulation on IoT. Regulations around security, permanent roaming, data sovereignty, national resilience and data management, such as the EU Data Act and NIS2, create much greater considerations on compliance, and the architectures and processes that support it. In August 2023 we unveiled our Regulatory Database aimed at helping vendors and adopters navigate their way through the increasingly complex regulatory landscape. During 2024 we will explore the likely significant impact of these regulations on market dynamics.

2. The new data landscape and impact on IoT

Following on from considerations of regulation, and often triggered by it, we expect a considerable emphasis in 2024 on how IoT data might be handled. The EU in particular has created some significant initiatives around data spaces, portability, and related areas, and we have seen the emergence of new data infrastructure models such as Gaia-X and Catena-X. During 2024 we will explore the implications for IoT.

3. IoT Application Enablement Platforms (AEPs)

The IoT AEP space has undergone quite a transformation in recent years. Just a few years ago mega-vendors were immersed in IoT with the aim of providing a universal, infinitely scalable IoT platform. Today many have opted out of the space. This is a market that should be much more focused on solution- or vertical-specific contextualisation and the services around the AEP, rather than simply being focused on being the ‘best platform’. In our research in 2024 we will focus on what it means to be an effective AEP in that new environment.

4. Market segmentation, channels and partner programmes

Suppliers in the IoT space, particularly in connectivity, are becoming increasingly aware that a purely horizontal approach is not sustainable. They need to identify particular verticals on which to focus their attention. To do that effectively they need to conduct a robust market segmentation and identify which verticals and applications will be their prime targets. This segmentation approach goes hand-in-hand with considerations of marketing strategies, and channel and partner programmes. Using our knowledge of market structure and demands, as well as borrowing best practice from other sectors related to channels/partners we can offer support for any technology vendor seeking to better identify market segments to address, and how to do it.

5. Contextualisation

A subset of considerations of vertical segmentation is finding ways to build credibility for a particular vertical based on an ostensibly horizontal offering, allowing for scalable differentiation. We term this ‘contextualisation’, i.e. rendering a horizontal service offering in the context of a client’s specific needs. This is an approach that we have discussed in great depth with many clients over the last two years. We will explore best practice in undertaking such contextualisation.

6. Video analytics enabled by AI

The use of video monitoring solutions has witnessed significant improvements, from round-the-clock surveillance for security purposes to object detection, gesture detection, facial recognition, and motion tracking across industries to gain real-time business insights and prescriptive analysis. In many cases, video analytics, particularly coupled with AI, represents an alternative to traditional IoT remote sensing and monitoring. We will explore the impact and implications of this for the IoT space, including the need for greater integration of AI management and edge computing.

7. eSIM, particularly SGP.32

The technology for eSIM and remote SIM provisioning (RSP) have been part of the IoT connectivity landscape for almost a decade, although in reality only commercially viable for a few years. During 2023 a specific IoT SGP.32 standard for remote SIM provisioning was agreed and devices will become available probably around the end of 2024. Transforma Insights expects this to be the dominant form for RSP. The new standard adopts a very different approach to the previous M2M variant and allows for much greater flexibility for users to switch connectivity providers. However, commercial models and the likely impact are unclear. Our research in 2024 will examine the most likely scenarios for how the new technology will impact the market.

8. 2G/3G sunsetting and implications for IoT

While 2G and 3G switch-off have been a reality for many countries in the last few years, many have still yet to go through the process. We will examine the likely impact, risks and opportunities presented by 2G/3G switch-off, including learnings from markets where it has already happened.

9. 5G opportunities in IoT

To an extent, 5G is just another mobile generation. However, it does promise mobile network operators (MNOs) the opportunity to provide enhanced quality of service, reliability and programmability, in addition to its core features of higher bandwidth and lower latency. In 2024 we will explore how network slicing, network function exposure and other 5G features, as well as multi-access edge computing (MEC) can be used to offer differentiation of the network, which has historically been quite a commoditised aspect of IoT.

10. Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) and hybrid connectivity

The last few years have seen a flurry of activity on satellite IoT services, including the launch of many LEO constellations and the arrival of NTN as part of 3GPP Release 17. Low-cost hardware is becoming increasingly the norm. We will explore the potential opportunities for using satellite networks as an enhancement (or alternative) to existing technologies for delivering IoT.

11. Evolving mobile private networks (MPNs)

With a range of techniques available to end-users wanting to deploy their own private networks (ranging from licencing spectrum and deploying a physical network to leasing capacity from an MNO) and the emergence of 5G as an enabler of industrial private networks, the MPN space is poised for rapid expansion. A key consideration will be how multi-location networks are deployed and managed and how connections can ‘roam’ between private and public network connectivity. During 2024 we will focus on how MPNs can be integrated into a relatively seamless connectivity environment.

12. Cellular LPWA

Until now the world of cellular LPWA has broadly split into LTE-M being used for multi-country deployments with NB-IoT essentially reserved for national deployments. This has posed a challenge for device-OEMs that may operate globally and want to use NB-IoT connectivity. In 2024 we expect that markets for NB-IoT connectivity will evolve so that the technology becomes better suited to multi-country deployments.

Sponsorship opportunities

The Transforma Insights team will use the IoT Transition Topics as a key input to its research agenda, publishing Key Topic Insight Reports and other publications to the subscribers to our multi-client Advisory Service. We also plan to produce a set of public content, available for free, around the themes, any of which has associated sponsorship opportunities for technology vendors, allowing them to associate their brand with Transforma Insights’ external discussion of the topic through short reports, events and social media campaigns.

The sponsorship of one of the IoT Transition Topics will comprise the following:

• Position Paper – This 10-12 page document will summarise Transforma Insights’ perspectives on the topic. This will typically be based on an extract from a full length (~15-20 page) Key Topic Insight Report on the subject that will be published on the Transforma Insights Advisory Service exclusively for subscribers. The sponsor would have its branding on the Position Paper and 1-2 pages at the end of the report to promote its products and services.
• Virtual Briefing – A 1-hour public online briefing featuring Transforma Insights as the moderator and a speaker on the topic. Plus the sponsor, and, depending on availability, we or the client might invite an appropriate guest. The focus would be on the overall Transition Topic. Transforma Insights would organise and host the webinar.
• Social Media Campaign – Transforma Insights will heavily promote the Transition Topic via LinkedIn and Twitter, as well as mail outs to our customer base. We also have good arrangements with third parties with large social media presence in IoT who would further promote the material.
• News Article – In order to promote the Transition Topic research we would also use our great contacts with IoT-related news services to develop newsworthy articles for publication.

Contact us

If you would like to know more about the sponsorship opportunities associated with these IoT Transition Topics, please contact our Sales Team.