Connectivity management unlocks IoT scalability

There will be over 40 billion connected devices in the Internet of Things (IoT) by 2030, says one report.¹ If we look only at those using cellular connectivity, there were 3.6 billion such devices by the end of 2024, representing 16% growth, year-on-year.² By 2030, the same report states, cellular IoT connections worldwide will reach 6.7 billion.³ 

As one can see, a key measure of the IoT’s success is the growth in the number of its connected devices. We can also assume a significant proportion of these devices will be “headless,” that is, with no displays or keyboards. All those billions of devices will need to be provisioned and managed so they can operate to their optimal ability.

However, this explosive growth in the number of devices hinges upon scalability. As Sönke Schröder, Director of Global Go-to-Market Strategy and Innovation at InterFund Solutions, pointed out, “It is one thing to manage one device, or even hundreds of devices. It is quite another to manage hundreds of thousands, or even millions.” Future projections of the IoT are meaningless if all those devices aren’t being added and managed in the best, most efficient way. This is scalability in the IoT context, and it is dependent upon connectivity management platforms.

What sets a “good” connectivity management platform apart from its peers will be if it answers the questions businesses have, so they can grow and flourish by using the IoT to its maximum potential. Only by addressing these issues can true scalability in the IoT be achieved: 

1. Can the connectivity management platform in question function across remote SIM provisioning (RSP) standards?
2. Can it function across every available data network?
3. Can it work with an enterprise’s existing software environment?

Let’s consider why these issues are so important.

There are many RSP standards

Many devices in the IoT require provisioning through a push mechanism of some kind. This trend will only increase as out-of-the-box connectivity becomes a prerequisite. This provisioning is provided remotely.

The original protocol, SGP.02, while still important for vehicle connectivity, is no longer optimal for many other devices, as it is based upon SMS communication. The second iteration, SGP.22, went some way to alleviating this. It was developed for mobile phones and was designed to replace the insertion of physical SIMs with digital processes, with communication taking place in an efficient manner via IP. SGP.32 was developed with connected vehicles and the IoT in mind. Communication is also via IP, and this standard will replace SGP.02 in the medium term. A fourth standard is already in development.

While businesses entering the IoT sphere can enjoy the benefits of using only the latest and most efficient protocols for provisioning their devices, enterprises with an existing IoT footprint will have many devices in the field that are working with the older standards. These devices may have many usable years left before they’re phased out. Removing and replacing them with newer devices would be expensive and time-consuming, and possibly unviable. 

The connectivity management platform used by those businesses needs to be able to work with devices that are configured to any of the RSP standards that currently exist or are being developed. The idea is to future-proof the business’s connectivity platform, while providing legacy support. An enterprise simply can’t grow in the IoT unless this issue is addressed.

The IoT spans networks

The IoT isn’t built to be stationary. Indeed, use cases that require mobility are exploding in the IoT, wherever there is a need to transport people, goods, and services. In these cases, devices will be moving between network coverage areas, across borders, and even across continents.

To take just two obvious examples: automotive industry OEMs and logistics providers require global connectivity for essential services like eCall, infotainment, and telematics. There will be older vehicles in their fleets, while new ones will be added as they are rolled out or acquired. All RSP standards need to be catered to, as explained above. Additionally, devices will be added as required. All those profiles need to be provisioned and managed, irrespective of manufacturer or provider. Further, a multitude of information will be collected and processed to glean the information the enterprise needs to manage its fleet and its uptime better, including real-time asset tracking and predictive maintenance. Finally, all this data needs to be safeguarded. 

For all this to work seamlessly while the fleet is in motion, it is imperative that the connectivity management platform be network-agnostic.

Integration with existing software is crucial

Any enterprise that requires connectivity management in the IoT will have its own software system. Replacing an existing system – or building a new one – simply to manage IoT devices is frequently unviable. In this context, interoperability with existing systems, delivered via full application programming interface (API) access, is a crucial success factor. 

Workflows can become truly automated to further enhance operational efficiency. Training becomes easier when the systems environment isn’t unfamiliar, costs are kept under control, and people don’t need replacing. These are things any business loves, and they become more and more important as the IoT grows. 

One platform to manage them all

Luis Martin, Global Connectivity Product Manager at InterFund Solutions, pointed to the common thread. “Growth in the IoT is dependent upon scalability. And they both require the right connectivity management platform.” InterFund Solutions’s own AirOn360^® IoT Suite is one such platform that answers all the questions we’ve listed above.

It is network-agnostic, fits easily with existing IT systems via full API access, and is designed to work with all existing and currently planned RSP standards. It is designed to be the backbone for a large-scale IoT deployment. Among other benefits, companies can run update campaigns across legions of devices, download applications, automate rule-based registrations, and apply region-specific connectivity settings. It is designed to minimize complexity, while giving you control over your IoT assets.

Growth in the IoT can unlock great benefits for businesses. The right connectivity management platform is a crucial building block in that journey.

Published: 17/07/2025