According to a recent study from Juniper Research, the next few years are expected to witness a substantial rise in low-power Internet of Things (IoT) roaming connections. The study predicts that by 2028, these connections will surpass 490 million, marking a significant increase from the current 90 million recorded in 2023. Low-power networks like NB-IoT and LTE-M play a crucial role in linking devices and sensors across diverse sectors such as smart cities, agriculture, and manufacturing. The surge in connections is anticipated to be fueled by specialized bilateral roaming agreements catering to low-power devices. However, the study underscores that operators are not adequately prepared to seize the opportunities presented by this market shift and the potential revenue from roaming.
One of the primary challenges faced by operators is the ineffective detection of low-power devices roaming on their networks. This leads to missed revenue opportunities as these devices typically exhibit low data usage and intermittent connectivity. To fully capitalize on roaming revenue, constant network monitoring is essential. The report recommends that operators collaborate with vendors offering AI-based roaming detection services. These services would automate the ongoing assessment of all roaming connections, identifying low-power devices that sporadically access networks. By employing AI-driven detection tools, operators can implement premium billing for roaming connections, pricing them based on network resources used and time connected.