2025 marked a major milestone for the global technology market: more than a billion devices now operate over NB-IoT and LTE-M networks.Behind this technical term lies something much simpler and already present in everyday life: the ability of objects and machines to «talk» to each other and send data via mobile telephony.
Simply put, NB-IoT and LTE-M are dedicated mobile networks designed not for people, but for devices. Unlike a mobile phone that uses data for calls, messages or video, these technologies serve small, «quiet» communications: a power meter that sends consumption, a sensor that monitors water pressure or a parking system that notifies if a space is available. Their main advantage is that they consume little energy and can run for years without changing batteries.
Reaching one billion connections did not come by accident. About ten years ago, the market for the so-called «Internet of Things» was fragmented. There were many different technologies, which were often not compatible with each other. This meant that a solution that worked in one country or with one provider could not easily be implemented elsewhere. The lack of common standards was a key barrier to deployment.
The change came when the industry agreed to move in a common direction, adopting NB-IoT and LTE-M technologies as the core infrastructure. In doing so, a single communication «vocabulary» was created for devices. Organisations such as the GSMA have been instrumental in this process, bringing together telecoms companies, manufacturers and service providers.
Today, the result is a global platform that supports millions of new connections every month. Applications are already visible in many sectors of the economy: in energy, where smart meters allow better management of consumption; in cities, where sensors help regulate traffic or lighting; in transport and industry, where continuous monitoring of equipment reduces costs and breakdowns.
As the GSMA's chief technology officer, Alex Sinclair, points out, this milestone is a testament to the value of collaboration in the industry. And indeed, one billion connections is not just an impressive number, but an indication that a technology that a few years ago seemed complex and fragmented has now become practical and widely applicable.
The next phase is expected to focus less on infrastructure and more on applications. With the groundwork laid, the question is how these «invisible» connections will be used to improve everyday life, business efficiency and the functioning of cities. In any case, the example of NB-IoT and LTE-M shows that when technology acquires common standards and a clear direction, it can move from theory to practice with impressive speed.
A.L.
