Ivo Rook, Co-CEO of 1NCE spoke about the fundamental challenges and opportunities in IoT connectivity on the latest episode of IoT Unplugged, as he drew on his background in telecommunications and private equity to share how he thought scaling IoT solutions globally was essential for profitability.
One key trend Rook noted on the episode was a shift in the purpose of IoT, from focusing on connecting devices towards leveraging IoT-generated data for AI-driven applications. The real value of IoT is in enabling intelligent decision-making, whether this is for improving healthcare, logistics, or another industry vertical.
The evolution of IoT has followed a pattern observed in other technology verticals where historically, connectivity solutions began as operator-driven innovations but only reached global adoption when software companies transformed them into accessible, scalable platforms. Rook drew parallels with messaging and unified communications, where companies like WhatsApp and Zoom turned messaging into software and made it globally available.
“[The] exact same thing is happening in IoT nowadays,” said Rook in reference to his messaging comparison. “It was invented by operators, but operators are domestic and only have a network in a country, maybe two or three. What has now happened in IoT software companies like 1NCE, but also Soracom and Monogoto are turning it into software and are able to play the global game.”
1NCE’s approach is to provide a global connectivity model that simplifies connectivity, rather than introduce further connectivity. As opposed to charging for network access in a conventional way, the company offers a pricing model that ensures IoT devices are connected for their entire lifespan.
Rook also argued that complexity in network standards has hindered progress, rather than advanced it, and that network operators should concentrate on consumer mobile services and leave IoT connectivity to global software providers that can streamline deployments without unnecessary fragmentation.
Looking ahead, 1NCE plans to sustain its rapid growth by enhancing its software capabilities, ensuring seamless device management and improving performance monitoring. The company is also expanding its global network partnerships beyond its initial investors to offer even more consistent coverage.
To hear Rook’s insights into enabling connectivity, listen into the full podcast episode, which is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and at the link below.
