Digital Lifescapes

An eSIM, or embedded SIM, represents a major evolution from the traditional SIM card by integrating the subscriber identity module directly into a device’s hardware rather than relying on a removable plastic card. The global market for eSIM-enabled devices is on a transformative trajectory, with ABI Research forecasting shipments to surpass 633 million units in 2026. The market is driven chiefly by accelerating smartphone adoption in China and advancements surrounding the SGP.32 specification for IoT applications. Software eSIM Market Development Today's eSIM technology is fundamentally altering how consumer electronics and IoT devices connect and provision themselves to mobile networks. Unlike removable SIM cards, eSIMs offer remote provisioning, better security, reduced device size, and rapid network switching, empowering both consumer mobility and large-scale industrial deployments. After a period of subdued growth during the 2022-2023 smartphone downturn, eSIM adoption is now f...

The evolution of network APIs is one of the telecom sector’s most compelling growth opportunities. Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) have long connected disparate systems, but within telecommunications, their transformation holds a pivotal role in ushering networks from siloed infrastructure toward open, programmable platforms. Juniper Research’s latest market study underscores how global network operators can unlock new applications, reshaping digital connectivity and enterprise innovation. Network API Market Development Historically, telecommunication networks have operated under a closed model, restricting third-party access and fostering complexity for developers. The new paradigm, supported by initiatives such as GSMA Open Gateway and CAMARA, is shifting the narrative. Operators are now embracing standardized APIs, allowing developers to integrate advanced network capabilities directly into their applications, bypassing proprietary barriers and unlocking greater innovative...

In a rapidly evolving wireless communications market, enterprises across industries are seeking secure and reliable connectivity solutions to power their increasingly sophisticated business operations. Private cellular networks have emerged as a compelling answer to these needs, offering dedicated wireless systems that utilize 4G LTE or 5G technology to provide enhanced network features. As an advisor who has worked with numerous organizations on their digital transformation journeys, I've observed how these networks can revolutionize enterprise capabilities, yet adoption has been slower than the potential. Private Cellular Market Development According to Juniper Research's latest market study, private cellular network revenue will reach $21.4 billion by 2030—a substantial increase from $5.5 billion in 2025. This represents a 114 percent growth rate over these five years. What makes this projection particularly noteworthy is the anticipated acceleration in deployment: nearly 3,...

As international travel rebounds to pre-pandemic levels in 2025, the mobile communication roaming market is at an inflection point. Emerging technologies and changing customer preferences are challenging traditional wholesale roaming agreements between mobile network operators (MNOs). The global wholesale roaming market is projected to more than double, from $9 billion in 2024 to $20 billion by 2028. This surge will be fueled by the expanding deployment of 5G Standalone (SA) technology, which enables real-time roaming connections and activity monitoring. But beneath this headline figure lies a complex landscape of regional variations and technological mobile service disruptions. Global Mobile Roaming Market Development Western Europe dominates inbound roaming connections, largely thanks to its Roam Like at Home (RLAH) initiative, which eliminates roaming charges among member countries.  Meanwhile, the Indian Subcontinent is emerging as a growth hotspot. Between 2024 and 2029, inbou...

The commercial aviation industry has been at the forefront of innovation, constantly pushing the creative boundaries of what's possible in aircraft design and manufacturing. However, with this pursuit of advancement comes an unwavering responsibility for safety. Recent events have cast a spotlight on the importance of rigorous adherence to aircraft assembly, testing, and maintenance procedures -- serving as a stark reminder of the critical role technology plays in ensuring the safety of passengers and crew alike. Aerospace Digitalization Market Development The dramatic images of a hole appearing in a Boeing aircraft operated by Alaskan Airlines sent shockwaves through the aviation industry, highlighting the potentially catastrophic consequences of even the slightest deviation from established quality-control protocols. In the wake of this incident, aerospace manufacturers have been galvanized into action, recognizing the urgent need to embrace appropriate technologies that can enha...

The total number of roaming connections is anticipated to grow 350 percent over the next five years, with the growing presence of 5G and IoT roaming devices being major driving factors. According to the latest worldwide market study by Juniper Research , growth in global roaming clearing revenues will reach $2.5 billion in 2024. This 30 percent increase will be driven by the rise in 5G roaming connections as mobile service providers continue 5G network expansion. 5G Roaming Market Development For network operators and clearing houses to capitalize on this opportunity, Juniper says they must focus on implementing new technologies and new growth strategies. A major trend is the growth in Internet of Things (IoT) roaming devices, anticipated to reach 595 million globally by 2028. While this brings opportunities, mobile operators see limited revenue per Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) connection. Clearing houses can help by providing highly scalable cloud-based services to handle increasing dat...

Available Internet access at an affordable cost is essential for everyone to participate in the Global Networked Economy. The deployment of fifth-generation (5G) wireless communications infrastructure is enabling the introduction of lower-cost broadband services in some markets. Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) allows mobile network operators (MNO) to deliver high-speed Internet connections in areas that have either insufficient or no prior wireline broadband access services. It's also used in urban, suburban, and rural areas where fiber optic communication is considered too expensive to install and maintain. With this new technology, MNOs have the potential to provide broadband capability at similar levels to fiber optic networks. Fixed Wireless Access Market Development Therefore, FWA can be used to supplement existing wired broadband Internet service offerings, provide additional broadband capacity, or act as a backup service for home or business applications. Although FWA is well es...

Enterprise IT Security investment in critical infrastructure has been consistent over the last 12 months, regardless of huge disruptions from the global Covid-19 pandemic. The resulting effect has been mostly in increased demand for secure 'remote working' connectivity. Cybersecurity spending announced by governments has not really changed significantly, with most maintaining similar funding planned in previous years, and an average year-on-year growth rate between 5 percent and 10 percent. According to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research, cybersecurity spending for critical infrastructure (CI) will increase by $9 billion over the next year to reach $105.99 billion in 2021. IT Critical Infrastructure Market Development The primary challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic has been for CI operators to ensure that systems and services keep running smoothly, despite an increasingly distributed and remote enterprise workforce. As such, greater emphasis has been placed on ens...

Enterprise decision-makers are seeking to identify the best deployment models for a trial private cellular wireless network initiative. Many of the CIOs and CTOs at progressive companies and forward-looking public sector agencies are already defining requirements for fifth-generation (5G) infrastructure investments. With 5G deployments proliferating, the importance of network slicing for the enterprise domain is set to grow. According to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research, the demand for 5G slicing will be propelled primarily by heavy industry verticals. Industrial manufacturing, cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X), and logistics alone will potentially generate cumulative revenues of $12 billion by 2026, representing a significant portion of an overall 5G slicing market that will likely exceed the $20 billion mark. 5G Network Slicing Market Development Much of the upside growth discussion at present focuses on how various industry verticals can alleviate the operation...

The Work from Home (WFH) phenomena has fueled the need for more devices, better internet access, and secure networking technologies. Plus, the COVID-19 pandemic is now driving demand for Wi-Fi customer premise equipment (CPE) as millions of people work and learn from their homes. According to the latest global market study by ABI Research, the closely related worldwide Wi-Fi CPE market will see vendors ship more than 223 million units in 2020 -- that's a surge of 10 million units from 2019 reported growth. "Stay-at-home orders imposed in the first quarter of 2020 forced millions of consumers to work from home and students to do home-based learning, creating the need for ultra-reliable broadband and Wi-Fi connectivity in households worldwide," said Khin Sandi Lynn, an analyst at ABI Research . Wi-Fi CPE Market Development There has been a sudden spike in the adoption of Wi-Fi routers and wireless network extenders as consumers seek a reliable Wi-Fi connection that can simu...

It's estimated there are over 1.1 billion personal vehicles currently in use globally. Juniper Research predicts steady growth for all eight key regions, with vehicles on the roads reaching 1.2 billion around the world in 2025. North America, West Europe, and the Far East & China have the highest number of vehicles in use per 1,000 persons of the population. In recent years there have been changes in the market, with higher adoption of hybrid and fully electric cars which require more complex operational monitoring technology. Plus, with more people embracing remote and flexible working models, the car can become a mobile office with all the associated business requirements, including reliable broadband connectivity. Connected vehicles can utilize several types of technology. Among those, existing mobile communications network infrastructure already plays a key role, in some cases, in tandem with short-range technology, such as Road-Side Units (RSUs). Connected Vehicles M...

More computing power is moving to the edge of mobile networks and it's going to be amazing. 5G Edge Computing will provide a foundation for the development of enterprise use cases and industry vertical applications. To capture the value at stake, Communications Service Providers (CSPs) will use new data. CSPs are seeking sustainable growth as a source of competitive advantage in the Global Networked Economy. That demands an IT and network infrastructure that's conducive to data collection, storage, processing, and analysis. A key element of this data infrastructure is a data management facility available on a 24/7 basis. That's an essential first step to fully capture the value of data, according to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research. 5G Edge Computing Market Development The quest to pursue new revenue streams and the need to streamline telco operations are the driving forces behind a 5G data infrastructure layer. Many CSPs are already on a journey to...

As we look to the future, more robots are likely to appear in the typical workplace. These robots will perform repetitive tasks that were once performed by humans. This automation promises to improve productivity significantly. In some cases, robots will also augment human capabilities. With the popularization of mobile robotics in a wide range of industries, more organizations will store the collected data from these robots in public cloud services, and then use that data to train more advanced AI algorithms that enable robot cognition. According to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research, the robot-related services powered by cloud computing will reach $157.8 billion in annual revenue by 2030. Mobile Robotics Market Development "Since 1961, most commercial robots have been wired or tied to external infrastructure for movement. The next generation of robot deployments will be increasingly mobile, tied to cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity, will consume vast troves ...

The Internet of Things (IoT) and machine to machine (M2M) solutions market continues to evolve, showing growth in all world regions and vertical industries. A variety of hardware and software vendors are helping to propel the emerging technology and associated use cases to new heights. As an example, the market for cellular IoT gateways, routers and modems is expanding, according to the latest worldwide market study by Berg Insight. More than 3.4 million cellular IoT gateways were shipped globally during 2018, at a total market value of approximately $921 million. Growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.5 percent, annual shipments are expected to reach 8 million in 2023. IoT Gateway Market Development Cellular IoT gateways are standalone devices intended for connecting machines to a wireless communication network. These include general-purpose cellular gateways, routers and modems that are enclosed in a chassis and have at least one input/output port. Note that ...

The Global Networked Economy is fueled by the growing adoption and application of digital commerce innovations. In many instances, digital commerce enables wholesale supplier or retailer customers to purchase goods and services through an interactive and self-service experience. It includes the people, processes and technologies to execute the offering of development content, analytics, promotion, pricing, customer acquisition and retention, and customer experience at all touchpoints throughout the customer buying journey. That's one view of the evolving eCommerce landscape. Digital Commerce Market Development Industry analysts also segment the overall digital commerce market into payments, banking and gambling as its principal segments, which are then further broken down into their respective sub-segments. It's important to appreciate that these segments are not mutually exclusive and necessarily intersect with one other to varying extents. Boundaries between the segme...

Worldwide spending on the Internet of Things (IoT) is forecast to pass the $1 trillion mark in 2022, reaching $1.1 trillion in 2023. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for IoT spending over the 2019-2023 forecast period will be 12.6 percent, according to the latest worldwide market study by International Data Corporation (IDC). "Spending on IoT deployments continues with good momentum and is expected to be $726 billion worldwide this year," said Carrie MacGillivray, group vice president at IDC . Internet of Things Market Development While organizations are investing in hardware, software, and services to support their IoT initiatives, their next challenge is finding solutions that help them to manage, process, and analyze the huge amounts of data being generated from all these connected things. The three commercial industries that will spend the most on IoT solutions throughout the forecast period are discrete manufacturing, process manufacturing, and transportati...

The global agricultural sector is currently evolving, as applications for the Internet of Things (IoT) technology disrupts more traditional methods of farming. With use cases that target several different segments of the market already available, new solutions are being created to evolve more segments. The fact that there is no single, specific problem experienced by all farmers and ranchers has led to the development of a variety of different solutions, notably including water usage concerns from the government and projected population growth over the next three decades. Agriculture IoT Market Development By 2024, over 2 million farms and 36 million cattle will be connected, according to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research. There's a significant upside opportunity for IoT apps within the agricultural market -- specifically connected agriculture in field crops, tree crops, and livestock. For field and tree crops, the primary driver for the introduction of conn...

A Digital Twin is a virtual representation of a connected physical product, process or service across its whole lifecycle. The virtual replica uses operational real-time data to enable the detection of issues and advance learning. It's also used in simulation scenarios for the physical model counterpart. Digital business enablers, such as big data, machine learning, artificial intelligence, software analytics and cloud solutions, as well as the growing demand for sensors to capture and process data, have been significant drivers for the adoption of Digital Twin applications. Digital Twin Market Development According to the latest worldwide market study by Juniper Research, revenues from Digital Twin applications will reach $13 billion by 2023. Recent market growth is estimated at $9.8 billion in 2019 -- with an average annual growth rate of 35 percent during the forecast period. The research found that increased deployments of advanced sensors to capture data, and technolog...

Mobile roaming allows customers of one network operator (home network) to use the network of another network operator (visited network). The visited network is normally outside the geographical coverage area of the customer’s home network. Mobile roaming has traditionally provided network operators with an opportunity to gain additional service revenues. However, regulatory policy interventions, such as the EU law to abolish roaming in member states, is having a negative impact on roaming revenues for many network operators across the globe. Mobile Roaming Market Development According to the latest market study by Juniper Research, mobile network operator revenues from international mobile roaming are expected to recover slightly, following a decline in 2017 after the introduction of RLAH (Roam Like at Home) in Europe and other markets. However, overall mobile roaming revenues are expected to stay flat over the next 4 years, representing around 6 percent of total operator b...

The manufacturing sector will undergo a transformation as new technologies enable innovative factory automation solutions. The 'Digital Factory' market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 33 percent to reach $673 billion in 2026, according to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research. These new technology investments include the actual hardware for entire industrial robots, collaborative robots, connected PLCs, intelligent industrial battery management systems, electric motors, pumps, tank management systems and smart glasses. Digital Factory Market Development It also includes data and analytics service, device and app platform, device interconnections, network service, professional service and security service revenues for all the above applications plus asset tracking and other equipment monitoring. Of these applications, only asset tracking solutions include connections both on and off the factory floor. “Currently, most manufacturing equipment s...