What Is IoT Technology?
The Internet of Things (IoT) has become a foundational technology in how we live and work today. By connecting everyday objects to the Internet, IoT enables enhanced efficiency, automation, and convenience. From smart homes to industrial automation, IoT is transforming industries across the globe.
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What is IoT’s Meaning?
The term "Internet of Things" was coined by British innovator Kevin Ashton in 1999. Since then, IoT has evolved into a mature ecosystem of connected physical devices equipped with sensors, software, and network connections, all designed to collect and exchange data.
Today, IoT technology powers everything from smart thermostats and connected vehicles to enterprise grade Industrial monitoring systems. Buildings, vehicles, and home appliances routinely connect through IoT technology. These devices communicate and share data in real time, making them intelligent, responsive, and able to support automation and analytics across networks.
IoT supports real time information exchange and strengthens decision making for businesses. As adoption increases, organizations manage key areas such as data privacy, security, systems interoperability, regulatory compliance, and scalable data storage. These considerations are essential for effective and reliable IoT implementations.
What Are the 4 Types of IoT Technology?
IoT technologies can be organized into four primary categories:
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Cellular Networks (3G, 4G, 5G): They use the existing mobile phone infrastructure, ensuring reliable and widespread coverage. This makes them highly beneficial for IoT applications that cover vast geographical areas or require mobility.
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Personal Area Network (PAN) and Local Area Network (LAN): These technologies excel at connecting IoT devices in close proximity. This is typically in a home or office setting. Bluetooth and WiFi are two common examples.
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Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN): This gives IoT devices both low power usage and long-range connections. This is particularly advantageous for applications that demand extended battery life and broad geographical coverage.
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Mesh Networks: With mesh network protocols, devices can establish connections in a non-hierarchical manner. In this setup, you can connect each device to multiple others, enabling efficient and flexible communication between devices.
What Is IoT Mainly Used for?
IoT is widely used across multiple Industries and has proven benefits in both private and public sectors, including agriculture, transport & logistics, BFSI, government, manufacturing, energy, utilities, smart cities, and others. Transport & logistics is expected to hold the largest IoT connectivity global market share by 2030, according to Kaliedo Intelligence.
What Are Examples of IoT Applications?
IoT technology is seen as a groundbreaking innovation with vast applications across multiple industries. These are a few instances where IoT technology is already making significant strides.
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Smart Homes
A smart home can use IoT tech to control various devices like:-
lighting systems
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thermostats
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door locks
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appliances
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security systems
You can conveniently manage and operate these devices from anywhere with a smartphone or networked device. You can set your lights dim at a specified time, and program your thermostat to adapt to your daily routines. Your security system can send instant alerts if it detects any unusual activity.
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Wearable Technology
Wearable devices such as fitness bands and smartwatches use IoT technical features to track and analyze health data. The data might include your heart rate, sleep quality, calories you burn, and more. They can monitor blood oxygen levels and notify users about irregular heart rhythms. In addition, they offer features like smartphone notifications and GPS navigation. -
Healthcare
IoT devices facilitate the constant monitoring of patients’ health metrics. Real-time data helps healthcare providers identify potential health issues and intervene before they become critical. Insulin pumps with IoT technology can automatically regulate insulin levels by analyzing glucose readings. Additionally, smart inhalers can monitor medication usage and offer helpful reminders.
Asset tracking in hospitals is easier with IoT. Placing IoT sensors on wheelchairs, hospital beds, and other equipment is a practical solution to track and monitor use. This helps prevent equipment loss and allows for efficient maintenance scheduling. Wearable panic buttons automatically alert healthcare providers or emergency responders and notify them of a patient’s location for faster response times, potentially saving lives. -
Agriculture
IoT devices can monitor weather conditions, soil quality, crop growth, and cattle health. This information empowers farmers to make informed decisions that boost farm productivity and improve their bottom line. For instance, a farmer could utilize soil sensors to monitor soil moisture levels. With this data, they can automate irrigation systems, which optimize water consumption and resources.
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Smart Cities
IoT smart bins use sensors to notify city management when they’re full. The result is timely and effective waste collection. Real-time traffic monitoring can include road sensors for optimized traffic light sequences. Traffic management with IoT technology reduces congestion and promotes smoother traffic flow. -
Retail
Retailers use RFID tags in stores to keep track of inventory and ensure items can’t be stolen. Smart shelves with weight sensors monitor inventory in real-time. This IoT technical feature provides staff members with immediate alerts when stocks run low. IoT technology can also personalize shopping experiences for each customer with tailored discounts based on unique shopping history.
Harness the Power of IoT Technology
Syniverse empowers IoT adoption by delivering worldwide connectivity through our Global SIM Solution. With access to over 600+ networks in over 190 countries, companies can deploy and manage IoT devices across regions using a single physical or embedded SIM(eSIM). We offer extensive solutions to help businesses create the best experience for their customers.
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