A new study from Juniper Research has found operators will generate $30 billion from cellular IoT connectivity globally in 2030. This represents an increase of 74%, from $18 billion in 2025.
To capitalise on this growth, Juniper Research urges network operators to innovate how they monetise IoT connectivity, with network application programming interfaces (APIs) emerging as a key technology. By providing standardised, on-demand access to cellular network capabilities, APIs allow operators to shift from monthly subscription charges to usage-based monetisation.
Enterprises increasingly demand flexibility in how they are charged; Juniper Research believes that the established recurring subscription model for connectivity is becoming insufficient in meeting this demand. Instead, operators must support IoT-centric APIs that charge through the usage of IoT networks, rather than solely connectivity.
“Operators will find far more success in the IoT space through usage-based billing. As we move closer to 6G, operators cannot repeat the mistakes of 5G. Connectivity alone is not enough. Operators must leverage software-defined networks to increase revenue through billing mechanisms that align with high data usage,” said Alex Webb, Senior Research Analyst, Juniper Research.
To maximise the impact of APIs, operators must simplify how enterprises use these advanced network capabilities. Juniper Research calls on operators to implement standards-based network APIs through developer portals. This will enable all enterprises, regardless of their experience with networking protocols, to easily deploy network applications without needing deep telecom expertise; maximising the appeal of cellular IoT.
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