A new report from Juniper Research forecasts that operators will generate approximately $30 billion from cellular Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity worldwide by 2030, marking a significant increase of 74% from an estimated $18 billion in 2025. This surge is driven by growing demand for operational efficiency and automation across various industries.
To capitalise on this expanding market, Juniper Research recommends that network operators innovate their monetisation strategies, highlighting the increasing importance of network application programming interfaces (APIs). These APIs provide standardised, on-demand access to cellular network capabilities, enabling operators to transition from traditional monthly subscription fees to flexible, usage-based billing models.
The research emphasises that enterprise demand is shifting towards more adaptable billing structures, as the conventional recurring subscription model no longer fully meets the needs of IoT deployments. Juniper Research advocates for operators to adopt IoT-centric APIs that facilitate charging based on actual network usage, rather than relying solely on fixed connectivity fees.
Alex Webb, Senior Research Analyst at Juniper, explained that operators will find greater success in the IoT space by embracing usage-based billing, especially as the industry approaches 6G. He warned that simply offering connectivity is insufficient; instead, operators must leverage software-defined networks to implement billing mechanisms that reflect high data consumption and enable new revenue streams.
To maximise the potential of network APIs, Juniper suggests that operators simplify their deployment for enterprises by establishing standards-based API platforms through developer portals. Such approaches will allow organisations, regardless of their technical expertise, to easily access and deploy network applications, thereby broadening cellular IoT’s appeal and fostering innovation.
Juniper’s latest market research suite provides the most comprehensive assessment to date of the cellular IoT landscape, analysing over 105,000 data points across 61 countries over five years. It features a ‘Competitor Leaderboard’ and insights into current and emerging market opportunities, offering valuable guidance for industry stakeholders looking to capitalise on the growing IoT ecosystem.
