A study by Juniper Research reveals promising growth prospects for 5G IoT roaming connections.

The report predicts that the number of 5G IoT roaming connections worldwide will increase significantly, from 15 million in 2023 to 142 million in 2027, accounting for more than 27% of all 5G roaming connections in four years.

This growth will be driven by the expansion of 5G standalone deployments, especially in Western Europe, and the adoption of value-added services and advanced analytics tools to manage revenue churn.

Report author Elisha Sudlow-Poole commented: "To further capitalize on the growth of 5G IoT roaming in Western Europe, operators must develop roaming agreements that leverage stand-alone 5G networks to improve network performance for roaming connections and provide the same level of service while roaming . Just like they do on home networks."

Standalone networks leverage the next-generation network core and provide improved network capabilities over non-standalone 5G networks, resulting in faster network speeds and lower latency for 5G IoT roaming connections. Improvements in network performance enhance the value proposition of roaming agreements, encouraging IoT users to adopt roaming business models.

The study identifies Western Europe as an important market for 5G IoT roaming connections, with 21% of global connections expected to be located in the region in 2027.

Western Europe accounts for only five percent of the world's population. The report attributes this growth to the aggressive rollout of 5G standalone networks by operators in the region. These initiatives incentivize IoT users to adopt roaming agreements, thereby driving the growth of IoT roaming connections.

The importance of value-added services

Apart from stand-alone specific roaming agreements, the report also highlights the importance of implementing value-added services and advanced analytics tools to manage revenue churn.

Roaming analysis tools powered by artificial intelligence can help operators efficiently analyze the large amount of roaming data generated by 5G roaming connections in real time. The report highlights that integrating these tools directly into the platform maximizes the value proposition for network operators and enables rapid coordination of clearing for stakeholders.

The study anticipates that certain key verticals, such as autonomous vehicles, will particularly benefit from these advanced roaming solutions because they are data-centric. Roaming analytics and the implementation of value-added services will play a vital role in meeting the specific needs of these verticals and ensuring a seamless roaming experience.

As the world becomes increasingly connected, developing a robust 5G IoT roaming strategy is critical to unlocking the full potential of the IoT ecosystem.