IoT Wholesale Roaming Revenue to Exceed $8 Billion in 2028: Kaleido Intelligence

Network Sunsets, Satellite Communications and eSIM Realise New Opportunities for Wholesale Managers

LONDON, June 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kaleido Intelligence’s IoT Roaming: Market Strategies & Forecasts 2023 predicts a 16% average annual growth in wholesale IoT roaming revenues between 2023 and 2028, as shifts in the ecosystem status quo underline the importance of roaming to support international IoT connectivity requirements.

Several market shifts are currently underway – including the acceleration of 2G and 3G network sunsets, the emergence of a simplified eSIM specification for IoT as well as direct-to-satellite communications networks. Combined, these factors offer a key opportunity for the industry to enhance the wholesale value proposition, although notable barriers remain in place.

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Accelerated Migration to BCE Forced by Shifts in Ecosystem Status Quo

Take-up of BCE (Billing and Charging Evolution) for modernised billing and settlement for IoT monetisation has been slow, particularly as operators are resource-constrained owing to VoLTE roaming requirements and migration to 5G. However, as network 2G and 3G network shutdowns accelerate, large-scale migrations to cellular LPWAN roaming connectivity are expected. This demand will be compounded by the emergence of direct-to-satellite IoT connectivity use cases, which target NB-IoT radios at the outset.

Kaleido forecasts that growth in IoT roaming connections consuming less than 10MB per month will grow at 22% between 2023 and 2028, reaching 59% of the total IoT roaming connection base by the end of the forecast period. This growth will enforce an accelerated migration to BCE as a result of needing to provide differentiated billing based on Radio Access Technology, in addition to the need for a much-streamlined settlement process.

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Monetisation Challenges Dominate IoT Roaming

With IoT connectivity now viewed as a commodity, pricing at both retail and wholesale level has steadily dropped over the years: Kaleido anticipates that annual wholesale revenue per connection will average at only around $8 by 2028.

Aside from applying BCE, the report found that the simplification of the eSIM ecosystem (through the SGP.31/32 specification) in addition to a pressing need for IMSI sponsorship by tier 2/3 MNOs and IoT MVNOs offers incremental revenue opportunities. Wholesale monetisation for eSIM in particular is a current point of focus for several operators, and even under the new specifications, is likely to continue to rely on roaming architecture in many instances.

Steffen Sorrell, Research Lead at Kaleido Intelligence, added: “Enterprises suffer from significant challenges in securing a desired international connectivity footprint due to the need to establish multiple contracts and technical integrations. The expansion of eSIM and sponsored roaming solutions from individual providers forms a critical part of reducing this pain point, and offers wholesale business units with a new revenue stream opportunity.”

Obtain insight into the impact of roaming traffic and revenues in your market by requesting an interview with Kaleido Intelligence.

About Kaleido Intelligence

Kaleido Intelligence is a specialist consulting and market research firm with a proven track record of delivering telecom research at the highest level. Kaleido Intelligence is the only research company addressing mobile roaming in its entirety, covering:

• Data Forecasts by Market
• Historical & Forecast Viewpoints
• Competitive Intelligence
• Strategic Insight
• Trend Analysis
  

Research is led by expert analysts, each with significant experience delivering telco research and insights that matter.

Contact details:
Info@kaleidointelligence.com
+44 20 3983 9843

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