The Future of Connectivity in IoT 

When it comes to designing an IoT ecosystem, choosing the underlying connectivity solution responsible for the data transfer between sensors and applications is essential. With more and more connected devices, the amount of data generated increases accordingly, which in turn means that a staggering amount of data needs to be transferred to the relevant backend. 

By making this transfer possible, the connectivity layer acts as the crucial enabler of any IoT solution, which makes selecting a fitting connectivity solution so important. Nowadays, decision makers are facing a multitude of options and there is no universal best option to be found. Instead, different use cases demand different solutions, each of which brings their own particular advantages and challenges with them.

In our Point of View “The Future of Connectivity in IoT Deployments” we take a closer look at these connectivity solutions and what they entail. Starting by presenting a market overview of current technologies and expected trends, we then delve into a more detailed examination of specific use cases. Additionally, this Point of View also provides an outlook on the future by highlighting long-term implications of upcoming technologies (in particular 5G) and overall business implications. 

In order to identify and deploy the right connectivity solution, organizations have to identify and assess their own needs first, as different use cases have wildly differing requirements. In this particular Point of View, we examine the following specific use cases and their implications for choosing a connectivity solution:

• Precision Framing - A use case focused on increasing efficiency and reliability in farming through sensors in the soil.  
• Wearables - A use case considering health tracking with wearables such as smartwaches or sleeptrackers.
• Connected Car: Smart Traffic Management - A use case studying the communication between vehicles and their surroundings, especially other vehicles and roadside infrastructure.
• Connected Medical Devices - A use case highlighting the use of connected medical devices at patients’ homes.

As the Point of View illuminates, each of these use cases imply specific needs which need to be considered when choosing the correct connectivity solution. Without an appropriate connectivity solution acting as an enabling base layer, a successful wide-scale deployment becomes impossible.

However, when deployed successfully, IoT applications can have a marked impact on businesses in a wide range of industries. With the market of IoT applications and connectivity solutions being as dynamic as it is, this requires an ecosystem-oriented mindset, as with one single application numerous specialized parties come together. In this context, connectivity is just one aspect out of many for a comprehensive IoT solution - but it is without doubt an essential one.

Growing Internet of Things platforms

An ecosystem of value co-creation 

Deloitte's global Internet of Things practice partners with the world's top companies, individuals and organizations to deliver on their digital transformation ambitions - helping them go to market, live, and corporate. We focus on co-developing new services, products, and solutions, providing end-to-end consultancy and engineering services and working with some of the best platforms and partners in the industry.

Download the brochure to get more insights.