Number crunchers at Juniper Research have predicted that there will be more than 490 million low-power IoT roaming connections by 2028, growing from 90 million in 2023.
Low-power networks, such as NB-IoT (Narrowband-IoT) and LTE-M (Long-term Evolution for Machines), connect devices and sensors over cellular networks to remotely monitor environments in industries including smart cities, agriculture and manufacturing.
Over the next five years, this substantial 560 per cent growth will be driven by increased bilateral roaming agreements that cater specifically to these low-power devices.
The report warns that operators still need to prepare to capitalise on this market shift and the significant roaming revenue that is arising.
An essential technical challenge operators face is their inefficiency in detecting low-power devices roaming on their networks, meaning that operators lose potential revenue from these undetected devices.
Due to their low data usage and intermittent connectivity, these devices require constant network monitoring to maximise roaming revenue fully.
The report recommends that operators partner with vendors who can provide AI-based roaming detection services.
These services will automate the continuous assessment of all roaming connections on their network, identifying low-power devices that sporadically roam onto networks.
Research author Alex Webb remarked: “Operators must fully use the insights gained from AI-based detection tools to introduce premium billing of roaming connections to maximise roaming revenue further. This involves implementing agreements that price roaming connectivity on network resources and time connected to the network.”
