By Juha Laurila, Director, Licensing, Nokia
IoT devices are now integrated into most connected households. Whether in the form of smart speakers, lighting systems, or home security devices, IoT has become embedded in modern households across the world.
This adoption has seen the number of connected devices grow at an exponential rate. The number of connected IoT devices is expected to reach around 39 billion by 2030, and over 50 billion by 2035, reflecting a shift from standalone devices to distributed sensing across homes, cities, and industries. And this growth, alongside enhanced reliability, is seeing IoT move beyond household convenience and automation to its next phase.
Connected systems that do not just respond when asked, but proactively detect, assess, and respond to events affecting people and places. From systems that can identify when an individual needs help, to sensors that detect risks like water leaks before they cause damage, the next phase of IoT will see it become an invaluable layer in our everyday lives.
From standalone devices to connected systems
Early IoT brought convenience, but often in isolation. You bought the product, downloaded the app, and used it for the specific task, for example turning a fan on and off via a smart plug.
It worked, but depending on the number of devices in the home, it typically meant managing a growing number of systems that did not always connect. Like turning your fan on in one app but managing your lights in another. This experience still exists in many homes.
This is changing. Devices are increasingly expected to operate as part of a single system. They share information and work together, often without much direct input. And when that works well, the user notices it less.
Improvements in connectivity reliability and responsiveness are making connected systems more dependable at the same time. These improvements further extend IoT capabilities, enabling it to be used for critical tasks where timely information and consistent performance matter.
IoT’s gradual evolution has meant connected devices are more consistent, easier to use, and increasingly trusted. This is actively contributing to the rapid increase of device connections, many of which sit underneath our everyday experience.
Why IoT is becoming part of everyday infrastructure
It is difficult to visualise the scale of 21.1 billion IoT devices in circulation today because they are increasingly embedded into infrastructure rather than visible as standalone products.
Rather than serving single functions, IoT systems are increasingly acting as coordinated home infrastructure. They continuously monitor for issues such as water leaks, heat pump faults, and suspicious activity, only drawing attention when something needs action. Instead of homeowners having to remember to check every system themselves, the home helps look after itself. The result is fewer unexpected problems, lower costs, and greater peace of mind, freeing people to focus on their lives rather than worrying about their homes.
In industrial and enterprise environments, the same shift is even more pronounced. Connected sensors can monitor equipment performance, energy usage, or environmental conditions over time. This enables organisations to build a more complete picture than periodic inspections alone, making it easier to identify issues early, optimise maintenance and operations, reduce downtime, and respond more effectively.
These devices can also support those living independently. A smartwatch or other wearable device connected to a security system can alert a family member if an individual has not moved around a home as they usually would. It can also track indicators like sleep or heart rate over time, building a more complete picture than periodic check-ups alone.
The value is not in any single device. It comes from the network of IoT connections built around the environment. Whether that is a home, a business, or an individual, these devices can remove friction, improve reliability, and provide reassurance.
The foundations behind reliable experiences
The reliability of IoT devices, enabling them to achieve this level of integration, depends on three core foundations. Firstly, resilient connectivity. Devices need to be able to communicate consistently, whether over Wi-Fi or cellular networks. Secondly, cross-platform interoperability. Systems need to be able to work together across different manufacturers and platforms. It is no longer enough for IoT systems to work in isolation. And finally, real-time, secure data processing. The data collected from devices needs to be processed quickly and handled securely so systems can respond in real time.
Without these foundations, events such as a minor water leak can go undetected until they escalate into significant damage.
These foundations do not exist by accident. They are the result of decades of development in wireless communications, networking standards, and data management technologies. Advances in cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity have enabled devices to remain connected across environments, while industry standards have helped improve interoperability between different manufacturers and platforms.
Together, these developments provide the infrastructure that allows IoT systems to operate reliably and at scale.
Author biography:
Juha Laurila is Director, Licensing at Nokia.
