Nick Earle, CEO of Eseye discussed the journey to ubiquitous connectivity, major trends and technologies, and the results of their latest survey. One result from Eseye’s latest survey showed that fewer than 0.4% of organisations achieve connectivity levels of more than 98%; highlighting that current challenges are impacting on the connectivity achieved.
In the podcast, Earle pointed out that achieving global IoT connectivity has proven challenging due to structural limitations in the industry. With around 800 operators each using proprietary SIM cards and limited roaming agreements, ensuring seamless global connectivity is impossible within the current framework. Despite advancements like multi-IMSI cards and collaborations between a few operators, true global IoT still requires a new model where connectivity is flexible, interoperable, and reliable across regions.
Another key barrier to effective IoT implementation lies in device-level connectivity management. Most IoT devices lack the processing power or optimised firmware needed to choose the best available network, unlike standardised consumer devices like mobile phones.
Emerging standards, such as eSIM and EU ICC, are gradually enabling IoT devices to access global, ubiquitous connectivity. As these standards mature, telecom operators face pressure to adapt by integrating connectivity platforms capable of managing multiple networks.
Earle predicted that the shift towards open, interoperable platforms will continue, driven by customer demand for reliable, long-term IoT solutions. He anticipated that roaming will gradually be replaced by a model similar to a futures exchange, where operators establish stable agreements to support permanent connectivity, reflecting the financial constraints that declining data prices have imposed on traditional roaming agreements. This approach can give enterprises the stable, flexible IoT connectivity they need, removing reliance on fragile, short-term roaming agreements.
“I think 2025 will be a good year for the industry,” said Earle. “I think the players and landscape will change, because transitions are [both] an opportunity and a threat to people.”
To hear more from Nick Earle and his key takeaways on ubiquitous connectivity, tune into the full podcast episode, which is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and at the link below.
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