IoT Overview: Your complete IoT Connectivity solution from 1GLOBAL

Recent advances in 5G, AI, eSIM technology, and automation have created a booming demand for wireless connectivity. There are currently around 19 million IoT devices worldwide; within a decade, this number is expected to double.

For IoT companies, this future holds both unlimited opportunities and unique challenges. As demand grows, so do the potential pitfalls. Scaling services while retaining quality and navigating an ever-more competitive market requires a new approach. Working with the right partner allows IoT companies to prepare for this future and lay the foundations for long-term success in the wireless world.

Just as consumer mobile expectations are becoming more nuanced, so must IoT companies adopt a flexible approach. Here, we explore how a digital-first IoT connectivity provider like 1GLOBAL offers the tools needed to meet this future head-on.

The 1GLOBAL IoT network: simple, scalable, everywhere

Reliability is the bedrock of a successful wireless service. Ensuring that all wireless devices can continually operate on a secure connection, with minimal downtime, is an initial requirement for any IoT business.

1GLOBAL IoT makes this possible through an ever-evolving suite of tools. At the heart of these solutions is the 1GLOBAL core network. Unlike other IoT service providers, 1GLOBAL is a fully-licensed MVNO and telecommunications provider, with ownership over a worldwide mobile network. This means any IoT devices on the 1GLOBAL network will have access to the best available local signal in 190+ countries, with a minimum of 3 per country. For devices, this means constant connectivity, with less risk of downtime and worldwide IoT coverage.

For IoT companies, it means boosted revenue, less risk of delays, increased brand trust, and stronger customer relationships.

Remaining reliable, even as network standards and customer requirements change, is a long-term project. Mobile standards are constantly evolving, with different devices and services requiring different connectivity types. True long-term connectivity is possible with 1GLOBAL’s patented multi-IMSI IoT solutions: each SIM automatically searches for, and connects to, the best available local network. This includes legacy standards like 2G up to LPWAN, LTE-M, and 5G. The GSMA is already warning IoT companies to prepare for the eventual launch of 6G, which they estimate will account for half of all global mobile connections by 2040.

As new standards emerge, multi-IMSI technology gives brands the ability to utilize them and remain at the forefront of wireless communications.

The IoT, 5G, and digital twins

5G readiness is no longer a niche perk for IoT businesses – it's essential for continued viability. Adopting the new standard allows operators to incorporate the latest Industrial IoT (IIoT) capabilities, from digital twins and AI-driven predictive maintenance.

The increased capacity and lower latency of 5G networks permit high-demand wireless communications to be transmitted in real time. This has led to the development of digital twins in the IIoT field – virtual models of real-world industrial processes that can continually simulate tasks, optimize processes, and pinpoint potential failures before they occur. This 5G-led innovation typifies how new mobile standards can revolutionize an industry.

With the emergence of increasingly demanding wireless industries like automobility, the need for infallible wireless connections will only increase.

Smart SIMs: flexible and remote eSIM management

With the IoT sector at a turning point, scalability and adaptability are the two traits that will define future success. The ability to serve rising demand, without losing quality or compromising on service, can seem like an impossible feat.

A key component of this future is eSIMs, or embedded SIMs. These software-based SIMs were introduced in 2012 and have since become the world's most popular SIM format in both consumer and commercial devices.

There are several advantages to using an eSIM-enabled IoT device. Most notable is the ability to virtually deploy, manage, and recall SIMs (a process known as remote SIM provisioning, or RSP). By employing these M2M RSP measures, entire device fleets can be configured at the touch of a button, regardless of their location or country of operation.

Many industrial IoT devices are in extreme environments or inaccessible locations – the time and effort required to manually insert, swap, or remove SIM cards from these is negated entirely with eSIMs.

The benefits of eSIM are continued down the supply chain: fewer logistics, no manufacturing, packaging, or repairs needed. In an industry struggling to adopt environmentally sustainable practices while dealing with rising global demand, eSIMs offer a small but significant way to lessen emissions and waste.

Many IoT fleets are multi-generational, incorporating devices of different years, purposes, and degrees of sophistication – not all of which will be eSIM-compatible. In addition to eSIMs for IoT, 1GLOBAL offers a range of IoT SIM cards, including MFF2 and removable 3-in-1 SIMs. Whichever the format, all provide a continuous connection to the 1GLOBAL network.

Intuitive connectivity management

As processes scale, the ability to manage them must remain within reach. A centralized system like the 1GLOBAL connectivity management platform greatly simplifies every step, from deployment to lifecycle management, billing, IoT device connectivity, analytics, usage rules, and more.

The functions of this IoT connectivity platform can be loosely grouped into three stages:

• Deployment and recall: Instantly activate, configure, and recall SIMs for entire device fleets. Administer devices in 190+ countries from a single hub.

• Management: With 1GLOBAL, a single network and SKU collates all devices worldwide into one simple overview. A unified overview saves time for IT and management departments, while the API-based platform can be incorporated into and enhance existing management systems.

• Analysis: A real-time overview of every device worldwide offers unparalleled insights. Pinpoint each device’s exact location and use real-time data to optimize every aspect of fleet operations and bolster business intelligence.

1GLOBAL's proprietary suite of APIs means this platform isn’t a separate program; it’s a fully integrable software that slots directly into existing backend systems. Not only does this provide a simpler UX and faster way to manage devices, but it also makes automation possible. Real-time alerts and predictive maintenance can all be carried out across fleets worldwide.

Ongoing support

The reliability and agility of a wireless network only have commercial potential if it remains secure. Ensuring cybersecurity is a central challenge for IoT companies – the rising rates of cyberattack and recent high-profile breaches have renewed public misgivings about the IoT sector, and reaffirmed the responsibility companies have to customer data and public security. This is particularly pressing in essential fields like healthcare, transportation, and governance. The 1GLOBAL core network is certified by the GSMA, while IoT services include security features like end-to-end encryption, access management, a VPN, and custom DNS as standard. Only with a secure network in place can IoT companies participate in the growing industry.

Crucially, one single network provider for all countries of operation encourages international expansion, with no costly administration required to negotiate rates with local providers.

The simple model has a twofold effect on revenue: administration and IT overheads are sharply reduced, as there’s no need to broker and re-negotiate individual connectivity contracts for every country operation.

Simultaneously, it enables a predictable and straightforward monthly billing model. Companies only pay for what they need. In the short term, this immediately saves revenue and time. Long-term, it encourages growth as companies are no longer hesitant about unforeseen hikes in connectivity costs. As with any kind of operational expansion, IoT brands must ensure that their services don’t become stretched as they expand into new regions and customer bases. Retaining reliable connectivity while entering new markets can be like threading a needle: more regions of operation means more jurisdictions to comply with, more local mobile operators to negotiate with, and more risk of outages.

For mid- to large-sized IoT companies, a single hour of downtime typically costs well over $300,000.

1GLOBAL IoT services sidestep these issues by delivering a single source of connectivity that offers full geo-redundancy and local compliance across 190+ regions. The 1GLOBAL network incorporates a minimum of 3 partner networks in every country of operation: in the event of a local signal outage, the 1GLOBAL patented multi-IMSI technology ensures devices immediately reconnect to another network, eliminating the risk of downtime.

Using 1GLOBAL IoT solutions

The Internet of Things sector is incredibly diverse, covering industries from healthcare to governance and entertainment. As such, there’s no fixed pattern or a defining idea of how much data is required for a single IoT company.

In this shifting environment, a flexible connectivity plan is invaluable. On one hand, it prevents companies from overpaying for data they’ll never use; on the other, it allows them to immediately scale up and leverage new opportunities as they appear.

1GLOBAL instead offers a range of flexible billing options, from “pay-as-you-grow" to shared data bundles and fixed plans. Prospective partners can select exactly the right model for their business – spending less time on administration and more on fulfilling their IoT ambitions.

Speak to an expert today to learn more about using 1GLOBAL IoT solutions with your business.