The number of connected devices worldwide is expected to reach 21.9 billion in 2026, rising to about 30 billion by the start of the next decade, according to Wireless Logic, underscoring the growing centrality of the internet of things to the global economy.
IoT technology has become embedded in daily operations across sectors including energy, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. But as use cases multiply, the ecosystem that supports them is becoming more complex. Enterprises face a shifting mix of technologies, technical standards, regulatory regimes, and commercial models, forcing many to reconsider how they deploy, manage, and future-proof large fleets of connected devices.
Regulatory scrutiny is intensifying across multiple jurisdictions, while emerging standards such as SGP.32 promise greater flexibility in how connectivity is provisioned and managed. These developments present opportunities, but only for organisations prepared to adapt their strategies and partnerships.
According to Cyril Deschanel, Group Managing Director Europe & UK at Wireless Logic, the ability to navigate regulatory uncertainty will become a defining factor in the global IoT market.
“As countries tighten digital rules and data expectations, global IoT will depend far more on how well providers can help enterprises navigate shifting policies and long-term uncertainty,” he said. “This will push the market away from simple coverage comparisons and price-led decisions.”
Instead, he argues, competitive advantage will lie with providers that can offer flexibility and strategic guidance, enabling customers to adjust as regulations or network conditions evolve. “With standards like SGP.32 promising smoother updates at scale, enterprises will gravitate towards partners who think ahead rather than react,” he added. “This will be the difference between providers selling connectivity and providers shaping how organisations stay resilient in a world where nothing stays still for long.”
Toby Gasston, Principal Product Manager at Wireless Logic, said expectations around SGP.32 were also likely to become more grounded. “There will be a realisation that eSIM is just a delivery vehicle for connectivity, not a unicorn product that will transform the industry on its own,” he said.
In his view, providers offering a broad range of connectivity options across markets will be best placed to benefit, as long-promised remote provisioning capabilities begin to be deployed at scale. While SGP.32 may lower barriers to entry for new providers, particularly those with roots in consumer connectivity, Gasston said this would also highlight the advantages of established IoT specialists, whose platforms and value-added services are designed to manage connectivity reliably at scale.
As enterprises plan for 2026 and beyond, the IoT market appears set to reward not just innovation, but resilience, regulatory awareness, and the ability to adapt to change.
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