2026 IoT Predictions: The Trends Set to Redefine Global IoT Strategy

IoT is entering a new strategic era. Market conditions are shifting, AI is accelerating, and enterprises are re-evaluating what reliable, scalable connectivity really requires. Eseye’s 2026 IoT Predictions Report cuts through the noise with five expert perspectives that highlight where IoT leaders should focus next. These insights matter because the decisions made over the next two years will determine whether organizations build competitive advantage or face operational risk.

This is not a year of small adjustments. It is a year of structural change. Device design, connectivity models, and global deployment strategies must adapt to a more fragmented world.

A more divided global cellular landscape

Adam Hayes, COO at Eseye, highlights a long-term shift now crystallizing into a pressing challenge. Regional differences in network maturity are widening, and this creates a more complex environment for long-life devices. While the US and APAC markets accelerate toward 5G Standalone (SA) networks—unlocking low latency and network slicing—Europe is largely rolling out 5G Non-Standalone (NSA), providing a speed boost but relying on legacy 4G cores.

For IoT leaders, this means global device strategies must account for both backward compatibility and forward readiness. Multi-RAT designs, eUICC capability, and flexible connectivity management become essential safeguards to de-risk investments in this "two-speed" world.

A clearer commercial path for 5G FWA

Tony Byrne, CEO at Eseye, focuses on the rise of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) as the "5G killer application" for enterprises. FWA is gaining traction because it supports use cases that demand high-performance connectivity—such as business sites, pop-up retail, and smart city infrastructure—without the availability or high cost of fixed lines.

What is changing in 2026 is the service model. Operators looking to grow enterprise revenue will move "up the stack," offering managed services that bundle hardware, security, and global coverage into a single, cohesive solution rather than just selling low-margin SIM revenue.

Operators face a decisive strategic moment

Ian Marsden, Co-Founder and CTO at Eseye, identifies a clear turning point for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). Legacy IoT platforms often carry a cost-to-serve that destroys margins for low-revenue IoT devices. As a result, operators must choose whether to "Bows Out" (divesting or spinning out IoT divisions) or "Partner to Win" by leveraging specialist platforms to overhaul their cost structure.

Enterprise buyers will feel the impact of these choices. Understanding the direction of travel within the operator ecosystem becomes an important part of risk mitigation for global deployments.

The real meaning of SGP.32 for enterprises

Paul Marshall, Co-Founder and CCO at Eseye, examines the operational implications of the new SGP.32 standard. While SGP.32 promises operator-agnostic connectivity and greater autonomy, it can lead to a "DIY delusion." Managing multiple operator profiles, technical configurations (like APNs), and consistent service levels across millions of devices effectively makes an enterprise its own virtual operator.

The report outlines why SGP.32 will accelerate demand for managed IoT services that simplify integration and provide a single point of accountability, preventing many from falling into a nightmare of immense technical debt.

Preparing for the rise of sentient AIoT

Nick Earle, Executive Chairman at Eseye, explores the dawn of "sentient AIoT," where autonomous AI agents—not humans—manage supply chains and production lines based on real-time data. This shift requires dependable "ground truth" data streams that AI agents can trust to prevent "hallucinations" and catastrophic business errors.

IoT is no longer only a source of telemetry; it is the most strategic asset for the enterprise. Organizations that secure a robust data supply chain today will gain a measurable competitive edge in the era of intelligent, predictive automation.

These five 2026 IoT Predictions offer a clear view of the strategic forces reshaping the industry. They serve as a practical guide for navigating global deployments, regulatory variability, and the insatiable data appetite of modern AI.

If you want deeper analysis and actionable recommendations, download the full report.