Telecom
How Telcos Can Benefit from $7.1tr Cellular M2M, IoT Industry
Given the tremendous industry growth, machine-to-Machine (M2M)/ Internet of Things (IoT) has become one of top business drivers for leading telecom operators across the globe, and the market in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is no exception.
IDC forecasts the global installed base of IoT to hit 28.1 billion devices in 2020, generating revenue of $7.1 trillion, with cellular M2M being a subset.
Though mobile connectivity provision has historically represented telecom service providers’ core proposition in M2M, their strategies are evolving to embrace other parts of the value chain, particularly those with higher margins.
“With the telecommunications services revenues from core voice and messaging services declining, telcos are on the lookout for new growth opportunities. M2M is certainly one of them,” said IDC analyst Ina Malatinska. “Connectivity represents only about 10-15% of the total M2M revenue pie. It has become a commodity and we expect connectivity ARPUs to continue falling dramatically.”
Leading telcos understand they have to expand beyond selling SIM cards to capitalize on the M2M opportunity – they are offering comprehensive end-to-end solutions (such as fleet management), including related services with higher margins, enabling M2M application development (providing platforms), and bringing consulting and integration capabilities to M2M projects.
Some telecom operators are even acquiring companies to gain a strong position on selected markets.
One example is Vodafone’s acquisition of Cobra, which was intended to help the operator become a full service provider for the automotive industry.
Others are putting a strong emphasis on in-house R&D to drive innovation, such as Deutsche Telekom with T-Labs and T-Systems Innovation Center and Orange with Orange Labs. “In a nutshell, telecom operators want to be key players in the M2M/IoT game.
Whenever you see high-end cars streaming entertainment content on the road or a remote patient monitoring solution, you can be sure that a telecom operator is involved,” notes Malatinska.
Innovative services built on collected M2M/IoT data will transform industries.
Gradually, telcos will put more emphasis on developing critical data analytics capabilities. As market demand is shifting from simple remote monitoring and control to business processes optimization and identification of new business models, data analytics will become essential to success.
Data will represent the most important enterprise asset, and companies will need a tool to extract relevant information from large volumes.
This is where data analytics comes in: enabling enterprises to deliver innovative services, get closer to their customers, and explore new revenue streams, among other benefits.
Telcos in the CEE region have multiple ways to differentiate themselves competitively in the M2M area.
Local telcos that are part of an international group (such as Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, and Orange) can greatly benefit from a technology and know-how transfer, as well as broad geographical coverage, which is relevant especially in industries such as manufacturing.
That said, local market specifics including access to corporate customers, marketing and product strategy, partnership with local vendors and systems integrators, and go-to-market strategy are still of key importance.
IDC believes that telecom operators will continue to play a principal role in building the M2M/IoT market.
Beyond strengthening their own proposition, demonstrating a clear business case for M2M/IoT solutions across verticals, building strong partnerships, enabling application development, developing new services and analytics capabilities, and more — telcos should act as hubs for innovation and keep educating the market about the benefits of M2M solutions.
This is most essential in markets that are still in the early stages of maturity, such as those in the CEE region.
Google has launched its Search Live feature globally to over 200 countries, including Nigeria, where AI Mode is available, enabling voice-and-camera conversations in users’ preferred languages.
Powered by the new multilingual Gemini 3.1 Flash Live model, it delivers natural, real-time interactions via the Google app on Android or iOS—tap the Live icon under the Search bar.
Ideal for hands-free help, users can speak queries for audio replies, follow-ups, or web links. Camera integration adds visual context, like troubleshooting a shelving unit, or pairs with Google Lens for real-world chats.
From the app or Lens, Nigerians can now explore, learn, or solve tasks instantly, boosting everyday productivity worldwide.
Clean and reliable power for telecom networks in Ethiopia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone will be expanded following a $45 million investment by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in IPT PowerTech.
The investment targets countries where limited power supply continues to slow digital connectivity and broader economic participation, the institution stated earlier this week.
To enable this expansion, the IFC is providing a $45 million corporate financing package consisting of an A-loan of $27 million and $18 million in blended finance.
The blended portion is sourced from the Canada-IFC Blended Climate Finance Programme and the IDA20 Private Sector Window Blended Finance Facility.
The initiative marks the IFC’s first direct infrastructure engagement in Liberia in a decade and in Sierra Leone in six years.
It will help scale solar- and battery-based power systems that reduce reliance on diesel and support greener, more resilient telecom networks.
By improving the quality and stability of power to telecom towers, the initiative will strengthen mobile coverage and ensure that households, schools, health centres, and small businesses can depend on consistent digital services, said the IFC.
The funding supports the modernisation, operation, and maintenance of 2 235 telecom sites across the three nations. More than 90% of these are located in off-grid or weak-grid locations.
With new solar and battery systems powering these sites, mobile networks will experience fewer outages and improved service quality.
Optimising the energy mix is estimated to reduce power costs for operators by up to 30% in Liberia, 26% in Sierra Leone, and 52% in Ethiopia.
This transition is also expected to cut emissions by more than 10 624 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. Furthermore, the partnership will promote gender inclusion by expanding opportunities for women in technical, operational, and leadership roles within the sector, says the IFC.
This agreement reflects a shared vision for a greener telecom industry and empowers the company to scale its innovative energy platforms, according to Nabil Haddad, CEO of IPT PowerTech Group.
Reliable and affordable power for telecom networks is a cornerstone of Africa’s digital transformation, said Nathalie Kouassi-Akon, IFC regional director for West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.
Through this partnership, the institution is supporting a scalable, private sector-led solution that enables mobile operators to reach underserved and fragile communities more sustainably, added Kouassi-Akon.
The project advances the World Bank Group and African Development Bank’s Mission 300 initiative, which aims to provide electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030.
Expedier has unveiled “Expedier for Business,” an online pro-banking platform to simplify global payments, multi-currency transactions, and financial operations for expanding companies.
Kingsley Madu
The tool centralizes payments, invoicing, payroll, and treasury into one secure dashboard, tackling challenges like fragmented systems and poor visibility that hinder international scaling.
Kingsley Madu, Co-Founder and CEO of Expedier, said: “African businesses are increasingly global… Expedier for Business was built to simplify how companies manage money across borders while maintaining visibility, control, and compliance.”
Key features include customizable dashboards for payments, invoices, and workflows; support for USD, CAD, GBP, EUR, and more; virtual cards; automated payroll/invoicing; currency swaps; and real-time tracking.
Security measures cover two-factor authentication, KYC/KYB verification, and team access controls.
As cross-border trade and remote work boom in Africa, the platform aids firms dealing with international suppliers, teams, and customers. It is now available for organizations scaling globally.
Anti Graft Agencies Raise Alarm over Rising Crypto-Linked Financial Crimes
NITDA Takes Over National Digital Architecture System
NDIC Insures 99 Percent of Bank Customers
FG Shifting Focus to “Meaningful Connectivity” to Drive Inclusion – Minister
CBN Bars Chronic Loan Defaulters from Accessing Loans
Spotify’s Loud & Clear Report Reveals Over ₦60Bn Revenue for Nigerian Artists in 2025
Madonna University Taps Tech Guru Adote for Strategic Board Role
China Threatens to Shut Nigeria’s Satellite Over $11.44m Unpaid Debt
MTN Nigeria Posts Record N1.70 Trillion Pre‑Tax Profit, Declares N20 Dividend for 2025
Jumia Tech Week 2026 Begins with Tech Deals on Smartphones, Electronics, and Everyday Technology
General News2 days agoNCC to Curb SIM Fraud, Strengthen Digital Security with New Platform
Broadcasting3 days agoNBC Boss Urges Content Ceators to Participate in DSO
General News3 days agoKidnappers Now Use Banks to Collect Ransoms — Expert
E-Financial2 days agoBreaking…..Kuda Lays Off Many Employees in Broad Restructuring
E-Financial3 days agoCBN Says Bank Customers Won’t Lose Deposits because of Recapitalisation
E-Business3 days agoJury Finds Meta, Google Liable for Woman’s Social Media Addiction
News3 days agoFrancis Okafor Stuns China, Emerges Second-Place Winner @ Tencent OpenClaw Hackathon
Telecom3 days agoIFC Invests $45m to Green African Telecom Sites