Roaming IoT connections to generate 1,100 petabytes globally by 2027

A new Juniper Research study has found that the global amount of data generated by roaming IoT connections will grow from 86 petabytes in 2022 to 1,100 petabytes by 2027, enough data to stream 165 million hours of 4K video from platforms like Netflix.

The termination of 3G networks will drive this 1,140 percent growth, necessitating the adoption of low-power cellular networks. The study discovered that low-power wide-area networks, such as 4G and 5G, provide a low-cost alternative to established operator-led cellular networks, thereby driving the growth of IoT roaming connections through low-power, high-penetration coverage.

Roaming IoT connections access connectivity from other cellular providers while roaming outside of their registered operator’s network.

US Offers Key IoT Roaming Growth Opportunities 

The report found that roaming IoT connections from the United States will generate 277 petabytes of data by 2027, accounting for 26 percent of the global total. With AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon terminating 3G networks in 2022, roaming IoT connections are expected to be redistributed to low-power wide-area 4G or 5G networks, depending on the use case.

Research author Scarlett Woodford remarked: “US operators must adopt the Billing & Charging Evolution protocol to accurately identify IoT traffic based on network technologies. Failure to do so will risk revenue leakage, if lucrative 5G roaming IoT traffic is misidentified as lower-value connectivity.”

5G Connectivity Restricted to High-value IoT Roaming Use Cases 

According to the study, only 2% of total IoT roaming connections will rely on 5G networks by 2027, owing to the majority of devices’ low power consumption and infrequent data transmission. Only use cases requiring low-latency and high-speed data downloads, such as autonomous vehicles and connected factories, it discovered, will justify enterprise investment in 5G connectivity.